Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 15, 2026

Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Rat
07:46

Experimental Endocarditis Model of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in Rat

Published on: June 4, 2012

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococci: emerging problems and new prospects

G A Noskin1

  • 1Northwestern University Medical School, Division of Infectious Diseases, 251 E. Huron-Feinberg 16-704, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA. gnoskin@northwestern.edu

Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore
|July 18, 2001
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

New antibiotics, linezolid and quinupristin/dalfopristin, show efficacy against multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria like MRSA and VRE, offering vital treatment options.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Multidrug-resistant Gram-positive bacterial infections, including MRSA and VRE, pose a significant global health threat.
  • These infections are associated with increased mortality and healthcare costs, especially in critically ill patients.
  • Vancomycin efficacy is declining due to emerging resistance in MRSA and increasing VRE infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the efficacy of linezolid and quinupristin/dalfopristin for managing multidrug-resistant Gram-positive infections.
  • To assess the role of these novel agents as alternatives to vancomycin.

Main Methods:

  • A non-systematic evidence-based review of available literature on linezolid and quinupristin/dalfopristin.
  • Inclusion of preclinical comparative studies and clinical data (Phase III, compassionate use).

Main Results:

  • Preclinical studies indicate high efficacy of linezolid and quinupristin/dalfopristin against susceptible and resistant staphylococci, streptococci, and enterococci.
  • Clinical data suggest these agents are effective in treating infections caused by MRSA and VRE.
  • Vancomycin is becoming less effective for Gram-positive infections.

Conclusions:

  • Linezolid and quinupristin/dalfopristin demonstrate significant efficacy in treating MRSA and VRE infections.
  • These agents represent crucial additions to the limited therapeutic options for challenging Gram-positive bacterial infections.
  • The clinical utility of these newer antibiotics is vital for combating antimicrobial resistance.

More Related Videos

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria14:04

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

Nanomechanics of Drug-target Interactions and Antibacterial Resistance Detection11:56

Nanomechanics of Drug-target Interactions and Antibacterial Resistance Detection

Published on: October 25, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Antibiotic Selection00:57

Antibiotic Selection

Overview
Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures01:22

Healthcare Associated Infections II: Preventive Measures

Essential infection prevention measures are based on the knowledge of the infection chain, the modes of transmission in healthcare settings, and the use of the best practices in all healthcare settings. Compulsory public reporting of healthcare-associated infection rates is needed to allow individuals and the community to make informed choices regarding selecting a healthcare facility.
The best practices for preventing healthcare-associated infections include hand hygiene, patient risk...
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...