Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Meningitis Treated with Linezolid: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection is a serious problem because optimal therapy has not been established. Different agents in various combinations, including teicoplanin, chloramphenicol, and quinupristin/dalfopristin, have been used to treat patients with VRE meningitis, but the efficacy of these agents is not satisfactory because of their limited ability to penetrate into the cerebrospinal fluid. We report a case of nosocomial vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium meningitis in a patient with ventriculoperitoneal shunt that was successfully treated with linezolid. We will also review previously reported cases of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium meningitis treated by linezolid.