Daptomycin for the successful treatment of postoperative methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus empyema: a case report

Abstract

Empyema is typically treated using pleural space drainage and systemic treatment with antimicrobials, and specific antimicrobial agents in the case of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections. A 57-year-old man underwent segmental resection of the left lung owing to multiple lung metastases and developed MRSA-related empyema postoperatively. Although the patient received chest drainage and linezolid, the inflammation caused by the infection persisted. Consequently, linezolid was replaced by daptomycin, and his empyema was accordingly resolved. Our findings indicate that daptomycin could be an effective treatment for postoperative MRSA-related empyema.

Keywords:

• daptomycin
• empyema
• linezolid
• methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
• surgical site infection
• chest drainage

Acknowledgments

The authors thank Dr. S. Takeuchi for a helpful discussion.

Conflict of interest

The authors report no conflict of interests.

Source of funding

This work was not supported by any specific funding.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Yusuke Yagi

Yusuke Yagi is the Board Certified Infection Control Pharmacy Specialist (ICPS) in Japan and holds PhD in clinical pharmacy. He is interested in infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and antimicrobial stewardship.

Michiro Iizuka

Michiro Iizuka holds PharmD and PhD. He is interested in infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship.

Moemi Okazaki

Moemi Okazaki holds PharmD. She is interested in infectious diseases and antimicrobial stewardship.

Kohei Jobu

Kohei Jobu is an assistant manager at the department of pharmacy, Kochi medical school hospital. He holds PharmD and PhD. He is interested in infectious diseases and oncology.

Yasuyo Morita

Yasuyo Morita is an assistant manager at the department of pharmacy, Kochi medical school hospital. She holds PharmD. She is interested in infectious diseases and obstetrics.

Mitsuhiko Miyamura

Mitsuhiko Miyamura is a professor at the department of clinical medicine, Kochi university school of medicine, and the chief pharmacy officer at the department of pharmacy, Kochi medical school hospital. He holds PharmD and PhD. He is interested in infectious diseases and herbal medicine.