Which antibiotic is NOT effective for pneumonia due to pulmonary surfactant inhibition?

Which antibiotic is NOT effective for pneumonia due to pulmonary surfactant inhibition?

• A. Linezolid
• B. Vancomycin
• C. Ceftaroline
• D. Daptomycin

Answer: (D)

Pulmonary surfactant inactivates daptomycin, so it cannot treat pneumonia. Daptomycin kills Gram-positive bacteria by binding to their cell membranes and forming pores, but in the alveolar space the surfactant binds and sequesters daptomycin, preventing it from reaching the bacterial membrane. Because of this inactivation, daptomycin is not effective for pneumonia, even though it’s useful for skin/soft tissue infections and bacteremia caused by Gram-positive organisms. The other agents listed have reliable activity in the lung and can be used for pneumonia caused by susceptible organisms.

Pulmonary surfactant inactivates daptomycin, so it cannot treat pneumonia. Daptomycin kills Gram-positive bacteria by binding to their cell membranes and forming pores, but in the alveolar space the surfactant binds and sequesters daptomycin, preventing it from reaching the bacterial membrane. Because of this inactivation, daptomycin is not effective for pneumonia, even though it’s useful for skin/soft tissue infections and bacteremia caused by Gram-positive organisms. The other agents listed have reliable activity in the lung and can be used for pneumonia caused by susceptible organisms.