Which antibiotic options have activity against MRSA commonly used for purulent SSTIs?

Study for the Clinical Approach to Common Infections Test. Prepare using flashcards and multiple-choice questions, all with hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

Multiple Choice

Which antibiotic options have activity against MRSA commonly used for purulent SSTIs?

Explanation:
When purulent skin and soft tissue infections are suspected to be caused by MRSA, you want antibiotics with reliable MRSA activity. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, and clindamycin all provide good MRSA coverage and are commonly used for mild to moderate outpatient purulent SSTIs. Erythromycin is less reliable against MRSA due to widespread resistance. Amoxicillin and cephalexin mainly target MSSA and streptococci and do not reliably cover MRSA. Keep in mind factors like sulfa allergy, age for doxycycline use, and potential inducible clindamycin resistance (check for a D-test or local susceptibility) when choosing among these options.

When purulent skin and soft tissue infections are suspected to be caused by MRSA, you want antibiotics with reliable MRSA activity. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, doxycycline, and clindamycin all provide good MRSA coverage and are commonly used for mild to moderate outpatient purulent SSTIs. Erythromycin is less reliable against MRSA due to widespread resistance. Amoxicillin and cephalexin mainly target MSSA and streptococci and do not reliably cover MRSA. Keep in mind factors like sulfa allergy, age for doxycycline use, and potential inducible clindamycin resistance (check for a D-test or local susceptibility) when choosing among these options.

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