Treatment of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius surgical site infection with linezolid in a Great Dane

Authors: Elzahaby D, Atkinson PJ, Dunn A, Trott DJ, Norrisc JM, Tisdall P
Publication: Australian Veterinary Practitioner, Volume 50, Issue 1, pp 17-22, Mar 2020
Publisher: Australian Veterinary Association

Animal type: Dog
Subject Terms: Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Sepsis/infection, Surgery, Clinical examination
Article class: Clinical Report

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Abstract:

Objectives: To report the use of linezolid to treat a surgical site infection (SSI) with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus pseudintermedius (MRSP). To review literature and reinforce the importance of antimicrobial stewardship.

Clinical features: A Great Dane dog presented with septic arthritis with implant involvement, 20 months after a tibial-plateau-levelling osteotomy was performed. MRSP cultured from the joint fluid and the nasal cavity showed resistance to all commonly prescribed antimicrobials. Surgical debridement and implant removal, along with oral administration of linezolid at 20 mg/kg for four weeks, resulted in the successful resolution of the infection. Linezolid administration was associated with mild gastrointestinal side effects, which were treated with the antiemetic ondansetron.

Conclusion: In the present case, linezolid was an effective antimicrobial agent for the treatment of a MRSP SSI. However, veterinarians should only use antimicrobial agents that are critically important to human health when deemed absolutely necessary and after determination that there is no reasonable alternative based on culture and susceptibility testing.

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