title: Comparative activity of linezolid against staphylococci and enterococci isolated in Italy.
abstract: The activity of linezolid, a new oxazolidinone, was tested against 862 Gram-positive cocci isolated in Italy and compared with the activities of 12 antibiotics. Overall, MIC90s for linezolid (2-4 mg/L) indicated an in vitro activity comparable to that of vancomycin in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (4 mg/L), S. epidermidis (2 mg/L) and methicillin-susceptible strains. Enterococcus faecalis strains were susceptible to linezolid (MIC90 2-4 mg/L), glycopeptides and beta-lactams. In E. faecium, only glycopeptides (MIC90 2 mg/L) and linezolid (MIC90 2 mg/L) were active. Linezolid was the only drug active against two strains of Enterococcus showing a VanA phenotype. Owing to its antibacterial profile, linezolid represents a promising drug for the treatment of Gram-positive infections.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiological and Gynecologic Sciences, Section of Microbiology, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy. stefanis@mbox.unict.it
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stefani
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Mezzatesta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tempera
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Debbra
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Schito
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Nicoletti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Marchére
mesh_terms: D000081:Acetamides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016984:Enterococcus faecium / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D000069349:Linezolid; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000081:Acetamides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D000069349:Linezolid