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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

Clinical activity of anti-Gram-positive agents against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

Ian M Gould1

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, Aberdeen, Scotland. i.m.gould@abdn.ac.uk

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|April 28, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus presents a significant threat in Gram-positive infections. However, the potential loss of glycopeptide antibiotics may not be entirely detrimental to treatment options.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Growing concerns exist regarding multidrug-resistant bacteria and a declining antibiotic development pipeline.
  • Gram-negative bacteria are the primary focus of these concerns.
  • Vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) represents a major threat within Gram-positive bacterial infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the current and potential future impact of vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
  • To assess the implications of losing glycopeptide antibiotics as a treatment option for Gram-positive infections.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current epidemiological data on vancomycin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Analysis of clinical presentations and treatment outcomes.
  • Assessment of the antibiotic pipeline and alternative therapeutic strategies.

Main Results:

  • While VRSA epidemiology and clinical presentation are concerning, its impact has been limited to date.
  • The diminishing pipeline of new antibiotics poses a challenge.
  • The potential loss of glycopeptides may not severely restrict treatment options.

Conclusions:

  • Despite the emergence of vancomycin resistance in Staphylococcus aureus, its clinical impact remains contained.
  • Alternative treatment strategies and a broader antibiotic development focus are crucial.
  • The phasing out of glycopeptides might necessitate and facilitate the adoption of alternative therapies.

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