Severe MRSA skin and soft tissue infection

Extensive, complicated, or necrotizing soft tissue infections caused by MRSA requiring parenteral therapy. Include deep abscesses, purulent cellulitis, infected pressure ulcers, and fasciitis.

ICD-10 L08.91 drug

Also known as: Hospital-acquired MRSA SSTI, Necrotizing fasciitis MRSA

Drugs used for this condition

ALinezolidFirst line · Oxazolidinone antibioticLinezolid is one of the first-line therapies for severe MRSA skin and soft tissue infections alongside vancomycin. IDSA 2011 includes linezolid in regimens for patients with deep abscesses, necrotizing cellulitis, and infected pressure ulcers. The advantage is 100% oral bioavailability, allowing early IV-to-oral switch. The 2016 Cochrane review showed comparable clinical efficacy with vancomycin and higher microbiological cure rates.

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