No mercy for MRSA: treatment alternatives to vancomycin and linezolid

Medical Laboratory Observer, Jan, 2005 by Dennis L. Wegner

References

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By Dennis L. Wegner, PhD

Dennis L. Wegner, PhD, is the consulting clinical microbiologist for a pathology group that provides laboratory services to eight community hospitals in southeast Iowa. On invitation, he presents his "Clinically Relevant, Cost-Effective Community-Hospital Microbiology" traveling workshop throughout the United States. He can be reached at dwegner@orhc.com.

Disclaimer: This article is intended solely as a literature review. The author and his employers do not wish to imply that recommendations are being made for treatment of staphylococcal infection in any patient and assume no legal liability for any treatment outcomes. Rather, it is hoped that the material contained in the article will prompt discussions between laboratorians, physicians, and pharmacists that will result in improved patient care. It is also hoped that the resultant decreased use of vancomycin will lessen the chances of selecting for vancomycin-resistant staphylococci and enterococci.