Abstract Background Clindamycin is commonly used as adjunctive therapy for necrotizing fasciitis due to its antitoxin properties. Linezolid, which also inhibits toxin production, may offer comparable or improved outcomes. This study evaluated the efficacy of linezolid versus clindamycin, each in combination with beta-lactam therapy, for necrotizing fasciitis Methods We conducted a retrospective, propensity-matched cohort study using the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network. Adults aged ≥18 years with necrotizing fasciitis who received either linezolid or clindamycin as adjunctive therapy were included. Patients who received both agents were excluded. Propensity score matching was performed on age and sex. The primary outcome was 90-day mortality. Secondary outcomes included 1-year mortality, Clostridioides difficile infection, amputation, and thrombocytopenia. Results After matching, 1,592 patients were included in each group. Infections caused by Streptococcus pyogenes were less common in the linezolid group (4.5% vs. 6.7%; P = 0.008), as were infections due to MSSA (4.4% vs. 6.0%; P = 0.044) and Clostridium perfringens (2.3% vs. 5.4%; P 0.001). MRSA infection rates were similar between groups (5.3% vs. 5.2%; P = 0.603, Fig 1). Infections due to other pathogens were lower in the linezolid group (84.2% vs. 77.5%; P 0.001). Ninety-day mortality was higher with linezolid compared to clindamycin (18.1% vs. 15.7%; hazard ratio HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.51; P = 0.032). One-year mortality was higher in the linezolid group compared to the clindamycin group (23.1% vs. 17.8%; hazard ratio HR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.51; P = 0.006, Fig 2). Linezolid was associated with a lower risk of C. difficile infection (8.2% vs. 10.5%; P = 0.027). Rates of amputation (7.0% vs. 8.7%; P = 0.080) and thrombocytopenia (7.2% vs. 6.6%; P = 0.526) were similar between groups (Fig 3). Conclusion Among patients with necrotizing fasciitis, adjunctive linezolid was associated with higher mortality but lower rates of infections due to toxin-producing organisms and other pathogens compared to clindamycin. These findings highlight important differences in microbiologic and clinical outcomes that warrant further study. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures
Guru et al. (Thu,) studied this question.