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Case 6: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Skin and Soft Tissue Infections

You answered:

D In a patient allergic to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, azithromycin (Zithromax) is considered the preferred alternative.

This answer is correct. The rates of MRSA resistance to macrolides are high and empiric use of macrolides, such as azithromycin, is not recommended for the empiric treatment of MRSA, even in a patient who is allergic to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole.

Choose another answer:

A Resistance to methicillin and cephalexin results from production of an altered penicillin-binding protein by S. aureus that has reduced affinity for binding to beta-lactam antibiotics.
B More than 30% of the isolates from skin and soft tissue infections have shown resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra).
C Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) is one of the preferred oral regimens.

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