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Abstract

Certain Gram-positive bacteria, including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and quinolone-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae have achieved the status of "superbugs", in that there are few or no antibiotics available for therapy against these pathogens. Only a few classes of novel antibiotics have been introduced in the past 40 years, and all since 1999, including the streptogramin combination quinupristin/dalfopristin (Synercid), the oxazolidinone linezolid, and the lipopeptide daptomycin. This review discusses the mechanisms of antibiotic action against Gram-positive pathogens, and resistance counter-mechanisms developed by Gram-positive bacteria, with emphasis on the newer agents.

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PubMed ID:: 15792738

DOI:: 10.1016/S1473-3099(05)70051-7

ScienceOpen disciplines: Chemistry

Keywords: Anti-Bacterial Agents,pharmacology,Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial,Enterococcus,drug effects,Gram-Positive Bacteria,Humans,Staphylococcus aureus,Streptococcus pneumoniae

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ScienceOpen disciplines: Chemistry

Keywords: Anti-Bacterial Agents, pharmacology, Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial, Enterococcus, drug effects, Gram-Positive Bacteria, Humans, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae

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