Efficacy of linezolid versus comparator therapies in Gram-positive infections.
Treatment of Gram-positive bacterial infections is currently a therapeutic challenge because many of these pathogens are now resistant to standard antimicrobial agents. The emergence of multidrug-resistant, Gram-positive pathogens emphasizes the need for new antimicrobial therapy. Linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibiotic with a novel mechanism of action that works by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis by blocking formation of the initiation complex. It is active against Gram-positive organisms resistant to other antibiotics, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Results are encouraging from several large-scale, randomized, Phase III trials comparing the efficacy and safety of linezolid with standard comparator agents for the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia, community-acquired pneumonia, skin and skin structure infections, and infections due to MRSA and VRE. Intravenous/oral linezolid is a promising antimicrobial agent and provides the clinician with an additional treatment option, particularly among the limited therapies for resistant Gram-positive bacterial infections.
Department of Microbiology, University of Leeds and The General Infirmary, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK. markwi@pathology.leeds.ac.uk
Mark H
MH
Wilcox
D000081:Acetamides / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D000069349:Linezolid; D023303:Oxazolidinones / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
D000081:Acetamides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D023303:Oxazolidinones; D000069349:Linezolid