Molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream isolates in urban Detroit.

To gain a better understanding of epidemiology of resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, we describe the molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream isolates in urban Detroit. Bloodstream isolates from July 2005 to February 2007 were characterized. Two hundred ten bloodstream isolates from 201 patients were evaluated.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal meningitis treated with intrathecal streptomycin.

Enterococcal meningitis is a rare complication of neurosurgical procedures. We present a patient who developed vancomycin-resistant enterococcal ventriculitis - meningitis after a brain tumor resection and ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement, treated successfully with intrathecal streptomycin through bilateral cerebrospinal fluid drainage catheters in addition to systemic antibiotics. This is the first report of such treatment for this resistant organism.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia: gearing towards shorter-course therapy.

Purpose Of Review: The studies that are reviewed in this article have all concluded that a shorter duration of antibiotic therapy (7-8 days) may be adequate in the treatment of the majority of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia, and does not confer an increased incidence of mortality.

Recent Findings: Ventilator-associated pneumonia has traditionally been treated with at least 2 weeks of antimicrobial therapy. With the increasing emergence of multi-drug-resistant pathogens, however, efforts have been directed at minimizing the duration of therapy.