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MRSA SSTI — SCE Infectious Diseases MCQ

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EasyInfection Prevention & ControlMRSA SSTISCE Infectious Diseases

A 52-year-old man develops community-acquired MRSA skin and soft tissue infection (abscess >5 cm). He is systemically well with no features of sepsis. He has no drug allergies. What is the most appropriate oral antibiotic after incision and drainage?

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Correct answer: A — Doxycycline 200 mg then 100 mg daily for 5–7 days

For community-acquired MRSA skin abscesses in systemically well patients, incision and drainage is the primary treatment. If antibiotics are indicated (abscess >5 cm, surrounding cellulitis, systemic features), oral options active against community MRSA include Doxycycline, Co-trimoxazole, or Clindamycin. Flucloxacillin and Co-amoxiclav are ineffective against MRSA. Oral Vancomycin has negligible systemic absorption and is only used for C. difficile.

Reference: NICE NG141 2019 – Skin and soft tissue infections; BSAC 2021 – MRSA management