Current challenges in treating MRSA: what are the options?

Abstract

This review looks at the challenges facing the worldwide community with the increasing problem of methicillin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus. The epidemiology and natural history of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and the challenge of control is discussed. Options for treatment and review of key antimicrobial agents acting against methicillin-resistant S. aureus, both currently in use and in development, are addressed. There are a number of new agents, the place of which in therapeutic regimens is yet to emerge. The review attempts to inform the reader of the probable position of these agents.

Keywords::

• ceftaroline
• ceftobiprole
• community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
• dalbavancin
• daptomycin
• iclaprim
• linezolid
• methicillin-resistant S. aureus treatment
• oritavancin
• quinupristin–dalfopristin
• telavancin
• tigecycline
• tomopenem

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr Katie Hardy, Regional HPA Microbiology Laboratory, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Bordesley Green East, Birmingham, B9 5SS, England.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

PM Hawkey has received research funding and/or speaker support from Astra Zeneca, Basilea, Beckton Dickinson, MSD, Novartis, Pfizer and Wyeth. The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.