Efficacy and tolerability of linezolid in chronic osteomyelitis and prosthetic joint infections: a case-control study.

Author(s): Papadopoulos A, Plachouras D, Giannitsioti E, Poulakou G, Giamarellou H, Kanellakopoulou K

Affiliation(s): 4th Department of Internal Medicine, University of Athens, Greece.

Publication date & source: 2009-04, J Chemother., 21(2):165-9.

Publication type:

Clinical experience of prolonged use of linezolid in patients with bone infections is accumulating. However more efficacy and safety data are required. this is a case-control study of patients who received linezolid for difficult-to-treat, intolerant or resistant-to-other-antibiotics bone infections. Linezolid was administered i.v. or orally in 34 patients. Results concerning efficacy and safety were compared to a group of well-matched controls. The clinical arrest rate was 74% in the linezolid group and 68% in the control group (p=NS). treatment was discontinued in 14 (44%) patients of the linezolid group and in 2 (6%) patients of the control group due to adverse events. In the linezolid group 11 (33%) patients developed anemia and 3 (9%) developed thrombocytopenia that led to discontinuation of treatment. Linezolid is effective in a substantial proportion of patients, but the incidence of hematologic adverse events makes close follow-up and laboratory monitoring mandatory.