Daptomycin-rifampin for a recurrent MRSA joint infection unresponsive to vancomycin-based therapy

Abstract

A 54-y-old morbidly obese male presented with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia secondary to chronic right hip arthroplasty infection. Bacteremia persisted despite prolonged vancomycin-based therapy (MIC ≤ 1 µg/ml) and prosthetic removal. Adding daptomycin-rifampin resolved bacteremia within 48 h; hip cultures remained negative post-discharge. This case describes alternative treatment for chronic MRSA infections.