Linezolid in enterococcal urinary tract infection: a multicentre study

Few data have been published on the efficacy of linezolid in enterococcal urinary tract infection (e-UTI). The aims of this study were to describe the characteristics of patients with enterococci UTI treated with linezolid, and to evaluate the efficacy and the tolerance of linezolid treatment.

An observational multicentre retrospective study was conducted in 5 hospitals in France. Patients were included if they met the following criteria: ≥18 years, clinical and microbiological criteria for enterococcal UTI and linezolid treatment > 48 h. Primary outcome was clinical failure.

Eighty-one patients were included between January 2015 and December 2021. The median age was 73.0 [64; 83] years and 47 (58%) were men. The median Charlson comorbidity index was 3.00 [2; 6]. E. faecium was reported in 65 (80%) cases and E. faecalis in 26 cases (32%). Polymicrobial infections occurred in 41 (51%) cases. No enterococci was resistant to vancomycin. Before linezolid prescription an empiric antimicrobial treatment was started in 48 (59%) cases and was effective against enterococci in 19/48 (39.5%) patients for a median of 3.5 days [2.0; 4.0]. The median duration of linezolid antibiotic treatment was 13 days [10; 14]. Three adverse events were reported, none were serious but one led to discontinuation of treatment. Treatment failure was reported in 2 cases (2.5%).

This study provides evidence for efficacy and safety of linezolid in enterococcal UTI.