Ceftaroline for the treatment of osteomyelitis caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a case series

Despite limited clinical data, ceftaroline is commonly used for treatment of complicated, invasive infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A retrospective chart review was conducted of adult patients receiving ceftaroline for MRSA osteomyelitis admitted between April 2011 and March 2016 at a five-hospital system. Twelve patients met the inclusion criteria. All patients received prior antimicrobial therapy with a median time to switch to ceftaroline of 45.5 days. Five of the 12 patients (41.7%) met criteria for ceftaroline failure. Patients with vertebral osteomyelitis (58%) had a longer length of stay, longer ceftaroline treatment, but similar success rates to those with non-vertebral osteomyelitis (57% vs. 60%). Ceftaroline is a viable alternative for a challenging patient population that has failed or are unable to receive other therapies.