Is bacterium effective for hordeolum (stye) when Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) coverage is necessary?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: February 28, 2025View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

From the Guidelines

For a hordeolum (stye) with MRSA coverage, oral trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim) or doxycycline would be appropriate choices, as they are effective against MRSA, which is resistant to many standard antibiotics like penicillins and cephalosporins 1.

Key Considerations

  • For topical treatment, mupirocin ointment provides good MRSA coverage.
  • A typical regimen for oral antibiotics would be Bactrim DS (160mg/800mg) twice daily for 7-10 days, or doxycycline 100mg twice daily for 7-10 days.
  • In addition to antibiotics, warm compresses applied to the affected eye for 10-15 minutes, 3-4 times daily, will help bring the stye to a head and promote drainage.
  • It's essential to complete the full course of antibiotics even if symptoms improve quickly to prevent recurrence and antibiotic resistance.
  • If the hordeolum doesn't improve within 48-72 hours of antibiotic treatment, or if vision changes occur, immediate medical reevaluation is necessary.

MRSA Coverage

  • The chosen antibiotics, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and doxycycline, are recommended for empirical coverage of CA-MRSA in outpatients with skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs) 1.
  • These antibiotics are effective against MRSA, which is a common cause of SSTIs, including hordeolum.

Treatment Duration

  • The recommended treatment duration for hordeolum with MRSA coverage is 7-10 days, but this may vary depending on the patient's clinical response 1.
  • It's crucial to individualize the treatment duration based on the patient's response to therapy.

Additional Measures

  • Warm compresses can help promote drainage and reduce the size of the hordeolum.
  • Good hygiene practices, such as washing hands regularly and avoiding sharing of personal items, can help prevent the spread of MRSA.

From the FDA Drug Label

Mupirocin is active against a wide range of gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Mupirocin has been shown to be active against most strains of Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pyogenes, both in vitro and in clinical studies.

Mupirocin is effective against MRSA. Since hordeolum (stye) is often caused by Staphylococcus aureus, including MRSA, mupirocin can be considered effective for the treatment of hordeolum when MRSA coverage is necessary 2.

  • Key points:
    • Mupirocin is active against MRSA
    • Mupirocin is effective against Staphylococcus aureus, a common cause of hordeolum
    • Mupirocin can be used for MRSA coverage in the treatment of hordeolum

From the Research

Effectiveness of Bacterium for Hordeolum (Stye) with MRSA Coverage

  • There are no direct studies on the effectiveness of bacterium for hordeolum (stye) when Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) coverage is necessary.
  • However, studies have shown that MRSA can be effectively treated with certain antibiotics, such as doxycycline and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole 3.
  • A study on the treatment of non-life-threatening MRSA infections found that alternative antimicrobial agents, including sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim, clindamycin, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones, can be used successfully to treat MRSA infections 4.
  • Another study emphasized the importance of appropriate initial antimicrobial treatment for MRSA sterile-site infections, and found that inappropriate initial treatment was associated with an increased risk of hospital mortality 5.
  • The use of combined topical and oral antimicrobial therapy has been shown to be effective in eradicating MRSA colonization in selected hospitalized patients 6.
  • Prevention and control of MRSA infections can be achieved through active detection and isolation of colonized patients, as well as the use of antibiotic control and surveillance cultures 7.

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.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.