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Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
14:04

Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

Antimicrobial agents for treatment of serious infections caused by resistant Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci

G M Eliopoulos1

  • 1Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA. geliopou@bidmc.harvard.edu

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|November 30, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial resistance in staphylococci and enterococci necessitates exploring older and newer drugs. Licensed agents like linezolid and daptomycin show in vitro activity, but clinical uses vary, with new options emerging.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology and Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Rising antimicrobial resistance in staphylococci and enterococci poses clinical challenges.
  • Traditional antimicrobial agents are increasingly failing to treat resistant infections.
  • Understanding alternative and novel antimicrobial agents is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the roles of older and newer antimicrobial agents against resistant staphylococci and enterococci.
  • To highlight licensed agents with in vitro activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE).
  • To discuss the varying clinical indications of these agents and emerging treatment options.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of antimicrobial agents.
  • Analysis of in vitro activity data against resistant pathogens.
  • Comparison of approved clinical indications for key antimicrobial drugs.

Main Results:

  • Clindamycin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole are used for community-acquired MRSA infections.
  • Quinupristin-dalfopristin, linezolid, daptomycin, and tigecycline exhibit in vitro activity against MRSA and VRE.
  • Significant differences exist in the approved clinical indications for these licensed agents.

Conclusions:

  • A range of antimicrobial agents, both established and novel, are available for treating resistant staphylococcal and enterococcal infections.
  • Careful consideration of drug indications and pathogen susceptibility is essential for optimal patient outcomes.
  • Ongoing research into new antimicrobial agents promises to expand future treatment strategies.

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