Fight against staphylococcal infections: Combination therapy with linezolid
The LIPS study is dedicated to combating the potentially life-threatening bacterium Staphylococcus aureus and is testing the administration of linezolid versus placebo.
Background
Around a third of the world's population carries the bacterium Staphylococcus aureus on their skin, usually without causing any harm. However, if it enters the body, it can cause serious bloodstream infections (bacteremia). It is one of the leading causes of death from infections worldwide. In Switzerland, around 2000 people are affected every year, resulting in around 500 deaths. Even if the patients survive, around one third of them remain impaired in the long term.
The expression of virulence factors by S. aureus favors its persistence and spread. Pathomechanistic analyses of infected patient tissue suggest that antibiotics such as linezolid, which inhibit the expression of virulence factors, can improve the treatment outcomes of S. aureus infections.
Aim
This study investigates whether a 5-day administration of 600 mg linezolid in addition to standard treatment improves the overall outcome of the treatment of S. aureus bacteremia compared to placebo. The treatment success is measured according to the patient-centered evaluation concept DOOR (Desirability of Outcome Ranking).
Study methodology
Prospective, multicenter, 1:1 randomised, placebo-controlled and blinded clinical trial
LIPS study
Combination antibiotic treatment with linezolid for Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia: a randomized controlled trial
Project management
PD Dr. Richard Kühl, Head Physician, Clinic for Infectiology / Orthopaedics and Traumatology; Prof. Nina Khanna, Head Physician, Clinic for Infectiology; PD Dr. Benjamin Speich, PhD, Clinical Epidemiology, DKF
Planned number of participants
606
Planned number of study centers
12 in Switzerland
Study design
Pragmatic, 1:1 randomised, placebo-controlled, blinded, multicenter superiority study
Duration
5 years
Planned DKF Scientific Services
Methodological consulting, project management, data management, data analysis/statistics, patient & public involvement, regulatory affairs, monitoring
Does linezolid improve the treatment outcome of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia?
Significance of the study
Several international guidelines recommend the addition of an antibiotic that inhibits the expression of virulence factors in toxin-mediated infections. However, due to a lack of evidence from randomised trials, this approach has not become standard clinical practice for S. aureus bacteremia. This study could provide the missing scientific evidence.
March 2026