EFFICACY AND COMPLICATIONS OF PROLONG LINEZOLID THERAPY IN METHICILLIN-RESISTANT STAPHYLOCOCCUS AUREUS (MRSA) INFECTED SUBCUTANEOUS ABSCESS MODEL IN WISTAR RAT

Linezolid has a better choice for the eradication of both community and hospital acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections, but its use is limited because of its complications. The study elucidated the efficacy and complications of prolonged therapy of linezolid in MRSA infected rats. The rats were rendered neutropenic by an intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide injection given for 4 days and 5^th day at a dose of 150 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg, respectively. This neutropenia was maintained for 5 days. The neutropenic rats were injected subcutaneously with 10⁶ CFU/ml of MRSA. The rats were divided into 3 groups. Normal control, Infected, Infected animals treated with linezolid 50 mg/kg/twice/day for 14 days. On the 15^th day, the blood and liver were collected for biochemical and histopathological examination. The MRSA was confirmed by PCR assay. The minimum inhibitory concentration of linezolid was 0.5-2 µg/ml. The decreased bacterial count (7.22 × 10³ CFU / abscess), intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP), increased lactic acid, alteration in hematological parameters and liver damage were seen in linezolid treated infected rats when compared to normal animals. Our study concludes the prolonged use of linezolid cause intestinal dysbiosis, myelosuppression, mitochondrial toxicity, and hepatotoxicity.