MRSA skin and soft tissue infection

Skin and soft tissue infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus. Include furuncles, abscesses, and cellulitis. Oral outpatient therapy is used in limited disease.

ICD-10 L08.91 drug

Also known as: Community-acquired MRSA SSTI, CA-MRSA

Drugs used for this condition

BCo-trimoxazoleFirst line · Sulfonamide-trimethoprim combinationFor community-acquired MRSA skin and soft tissue infections of mild to moderate severity (furuncle, drained abscess, limited cellulitis), co-trimoxazole 1–2 DS tablets twice daily for 5–10 days is a first-line oral option. IDSA 2011 lists the drug alongside doxycycline and clindamycin. Co-trimoxazole is preferred when clindamycin is resistant or intolerable. Severe forms require parenteral vancomycin or linezolid.

How to read tiers A–F

Evidence tiers belong to the drug-indication pair, not to the drug as a whole: the same substance can be A for one condition and F for another.

AStrong evidence – first or second line in international guidelines
BRecommended in selected cases
CStudy data contradict each other
DBenefit not proven, no documented harm
FDocumented harm, or risk without benefit