Which antibiotic is often reserved for resistant infections and used as a last resort?

Chloramphenicol is an antibiotic that is often reserved for treating serious infections caused by resistant bacteria, which makes it a last resort option in many clinical situations. Its broad-spectrum activity can be effective against a variety of bacteria, including some strains that are resistant to more commonly used antibiotics.

However, its use is limited due to potential severe side effects, such as aplastic anemia and gray baby syndrome, which can occur in newborns. Therefore, it is typically only employed when other treatment options have failed or when the infection is particularly severe and no alternatives are available.

Meanwhile, other antibiotics listed serve different roles. Clindamycin is used primarily for anaerobic infections and some skin infections. Mupirocin is frequently applied topically for skin infections, particularly those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Linezolid, although it is also used for resistant infections, especially MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), does not have the same level of reserved status as chloramphenicol and is often used in more routine contexts for resistant strains. Thus, chloramphenicol's specific status as a last resort for resistant infections distinguishes it in this context.