Treatment of Meningitis Caused by Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus with Synercid

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci(VRE) are rare cause of meningitis, occurring in immunocompromised patients, severely ill, hospitalized patient, and patients who have undergone neurosurgical procedures. Resistance to vancomycin has increased in frequency during the past few years. Limited therapeutic options are available for VRE infections and the optimum therapy has not been established. We report a case of VRE meningitis that was successfully treated with administration of quinupristindalfopristin (Synercid) by both intravenous and intraventricular routes. A brief review of the literature is provided, which indicates that optimal management with Synercid should include daily intraventricular doses of at least 2 mg and intravenous 0.5 mg/kg every 8 hours. We also review the previously reported cases of VRE meningitis.