title: Antistaphylococcal agents.
abstract: These are interesting times in the treatment of infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus, with shifting epidemiology of antibiotic resistance; changing prevalence of clinical syndromes (probably reflecting changes in virulence of circulating strains); and the recent availability of a variety of new agents with activity against multidrug-resistant gram-positive cocci. The abundance of riches in new drugs for the multidrug-resistant gram-positive space is timely, and these agents show great potential, but as yet have incompletely tested durability and comparative efficacy. This article reviews the advantages and disadvantages of a variety of antistaphylococcal agents by providing basic information including mechanism of action; mechanisms of resistance; clinical use (including dosing for and data supporting common indications); drug toxicities; and major drug interactions.
authors.affiliation: Silverman Institute for Health Care Quality and Safety, Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, 330 Brookline Avenue, LMOB-6A, Boston, MA 02215, USA. hogold@caregroup.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Howard S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Gold
authors.forename: Satish K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Pillai
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D006801:Humans; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents