Two new treatment options for infections due to drug-resistant gram-positive cocci.
Gram-positive cocci, including enterococci and Staphylococcus aureus, have become the leading cause of hospital-acquired infections, and their resistance to antibiotics is increasing. Two important new drugs-quinupristin/dalfopristin (Synercid) and linezolid (Zyvox)-were designed specifically to treat infections due to drug-resistant gram-positive cocci. But their use must be tempered by their cost, toxicity, and concerns about further development of resistant strains.
Rehm
Susan J
SJ
Department of Infectious Diseases, The Cleveland Clinic Foundation, OH 44195, USA. rehms@ccf.org
D000081:Acetamides / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D000069349:Linezolid; D008712:Methicillin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014769:Virginiamycin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000081:Acetamides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D014769:Virginiamycin; C062940:quinupristin-dalfopristin; D000069349:Linezolid; D008712:Methicillin