• Po-Liang Lu, Jann-Tay Wang, Chih-Jung Chen, Wan-Chin Chen, Tun-Chieh Chen, Yhu-Chering Hwang, and Shan-Chwen Chang.
• Department of Internal Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan, ROC.
• Chemotherapy. 2010 Jan 1;56(6):429-35.

BackgroundCompassionate use of linezolid for bone and joint infections has been reported and hematological adverse reactions are a cause for concern. A similar experience in Asian people has not been reported.MethodsAdult cases that received linezolid for bone and joint infections at 3 Taiwanese medical centers from 2002 to 2006 were analyzed. We investigated factors associated with treatment outcome and hematological adverse reactions.ResultsOf the 51 cases that received linezolid for more than 3 days, 41 (80.4%) had a favorable outcome and 10 had a failed outcome. Based on univariate analysis, patients with renal/urinary tract diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, higher WBC counts, a higher alanine aminotransferase level, or a higher creatinine level prior to linezolid treatment were significantly associated with a failed outcome. Based on multivariate analysis, underlying gastrointestinal disease was the only significant factor for a failed outcome. Six patients stopped linezolid use due to adverse reactions. A failed outcome was significantly associated with anemia caused by linezolid.ConclusionLinezolid is an effective salvage agent for bone and joint infections. However, adverse effects, especially hematological reactions, may cause drug discontinuation.Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.

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