Is Staphylococcus aureus (Staph aureus) infection treated in urine?

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Last updated: May 30, 2025 • View editorial policy

From the FDA Drug Label

Urinary Tract Infections caused by ... methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus saprophyticus, or Enterococcus faecalis Skin and Skin Structure Infections caused by ... methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus epidermidis, or Streptococcus pyogenes

Staphylococcus aureus is treated by ciprofloxacin, but only when it is methicillin-susceptible. However, the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus in the urine is not explicitly mentioned. The FDA drug label does mention Urinary Tract Infections caused by Staphylococcus saprophyticus, but it does not explicitly state that Staphylococcus aureus is treated in the urine. Therefore, based on the information provided in the drug label, it cannot be concluded that Staphylococcus aureus is treated in the urine. The FDA drug label does not answer the question.

From the Research

Staphylococcus aureus in urine typically requires treatment only when it causes a true urinary tract infection (UTI), not when it's merely colonizing the urine without symptoms. Treatment is indicated when S. aureus is found in significant quantities in urine along with symptoms like painful urination, frequency, or fever. The most recent and highest quality study 1 suggests that treatment should be guided by the presence of symptoms and the risk of complications, rather than routine treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria. First-line antibiotics for uncomplicated S. aureus UTIs may include trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, nitrofurantoin, or cephalexin, as suggested by older studies 2, 3. However, for complicated infections or methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), vancomycin, linezolid, or daptomycin may be necessary, as indicated by studies 4, 5. It's essential to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve quickly, and to consider the risk of more serious conditions like bacteremia or endocarditis, especially in patients with indwelling catheters or recent urological procedures, as noted in 1. Blood cultures may be warranted in these cases to rule out systemic infection. Key considerations in treatment include:

  • The presence of symptoms and the risk of complications
  • The susceptibility of the S. aureus strain to antibiotics
  • The potential for more serious conditions like bacteremia or endocarditis
  • The need for complete treatment courses and follow-up to prevent recurrence.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.