Antibiotic choice for adults with vertebral osteomyelitis associated with spinal epidural abscess or neurological compromise

Urgent empirical antibiotic therapy is indicated for adults with vertebral osteomyelitis who have neurological compromise or spinal epidural abscess, while awaiting surgical interventionBerbari, 2015. The regimens below are recommended until a microbiological diagnosis is made. Take blood samples for culture before antibiotic therapy is started. Empirical antibiotic regimens are included for adults who have:

• not had a recent spinal procedure
• had a recent spinal procedure.

Once a microbiological diagnosis is made, modify therapy accordingly. Regimens are included for:

• methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) native bone or joint infection
• methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) native bone or joint infection
• Kingella kingae native bone or joint infection
• native bone or joint infection caused by other pathogens.