Linezolid resistant Enterococcus faecium in sepsis

Abstract

With ascending trend of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) prevalence in community as well as hospital settings, use linezolid has proportionately increased because of its high oral bioavailability and good clinical cure rate. However, cases of linezolid resistance have also come up in certain strains of Enterococcus and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which can be attributed to nosocomial transmission and extensive usage of the antibiotic. This alarming situation leaves the clinician with limited treatment options. Such a condition requires, reduction of inadvertent use of linezolid and following appropriate infection-control measures to contain the spread of linezolid-resistant pathogens. Here, we present a rare case of vancomycin sensitive and linezolid resistant Enterococcus faecium with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of linezolid being >256 µg/mL in a sepsis patient.