title: Global resistance trends and the potential impact on empirical therapy.
abstract: Globally, antibiotic resistance continues to be an increasing problem. The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), and extended spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae has seriously reduced the number of empirical agents suitable for selected indications. Increasing Gram-negative resistance has also negatively impacted the physician's alternatives when choosing adequate initial therapy; increased reliance on the carbapenem class as empirical agents has led to the emergence of multidrug resistance in non-enteric Gram-negative bacilli. There is a critical need for new, broad-spectrum alternatives to the currently available broad-spectrum agents.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Diseases Section, Centro Medico Docente La Trinidad, Caracas, Venezuela. familis@cantv.net
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Isturiz
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents