What is the drug of choice to treat a serious methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) skin infection?

The drug of choice to treat a serious methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) skin infection is vancomycin. Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic that is particularly effective against gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA. Its mechanism of action involves inhibiting cell wall synthesis, which is crucial for bacterial survival.

Given the resistance profile of MRSA, which is capable of withstanding the effects of beta-lactam antibiotics—such as penicillin and dicloxacillin—these agents are not effective in treating infections caused by MRSA.

Cefuroxime, a second-generation cephalosporin, also lacks potency against MRSA, making it inappropriate for treating such infections. In contrast, vancomycin has been the gold standard for managing serious MRSA infections, including complicated skin and soft tissue infections, due to its broad spectrum of action against resistant strains.