Tolerability, Safety, and Efficacy of Tedizolid as Oral Treatment for Bone and Joint Infections (OTTER)

The problem of interest is that doctors are looking for new antibiotic treatments for bone and joint infections. Treatment for bone and joint infection is not standardized, which allows a wide range of antibiotic therapy to potentially be given. A type of bacteria called S. aureus is the most common cause of bone and joint infection. Methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a type of bacteria that is not killed by some antibiotics, and it is increasingly common in U.S. and non-U.S. medical centers. Trauma-associated bone and joint infection is also a common problem. Victims of major trauma often suffer bone fractures, which require temporary or permanent use of metal or other synthetic devices such as external-fixation pins, plates, and screws. These synthetic devices can also get infected and cause bone and joint infections.

This problem will be studied by investigating whether an antibiotic called tedizolid is tolerable, safe and effective to treat bone and joint infections. Tedizolid is a new FDA-approved antibiotic, and can be given through the bloodstream via an IV or orally in the form of a pill. Tedizolid has less side effects compared to linezolid and is effective against types of bacteria like S. aureus. Other research also suggests that the side effects associated with long-term therapy of older types of antibiotics may not be found with tedizolid.

This study will advance scientific knowledge of antibiotic treatments for bone and joint infections. Given the large and increasing burden of disease of bone and joint infection and the increasing acceptability of oral antibiotics for its management, tedizolid holds promise as a good option for patients with bone and joint infection. Harbor-UCLA Medical Center is a large medical center in the County of Los Angeles, the most populous County in the United States. The Infectious Disease consult service sees many bone and joint infections. Use of prolonged antibiotics is common in this setting. The investigators believe tedizolid addresses the unmet need for an oral antibiotic that is well-tolerated and efficacious for use as a prolonged therapy for bone and joint infection.