Community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus meningitis complicated by cerebral infarction. Role of antibiotic combination of linezolid plus levofloxacin.

The therapeutic options available for central nervous system (CNS) infections due to resistant Gram-positive cocci remain limited. We report an unusual case of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus meningitis complicated by cerebral infarction in the middle cerebral artery territory in a previously healthy young male. After an initial vancomycin-based regimen, treatment was completed with a seven-week course of linezolid and levofloxacin. The potential role of such a combination and, particularly, linezolid as a first-line therapy in serious CNS infections is also discussed.