New Gram-positive agents in nosocomial infection

Multidrug-resistant Gram-positive pathogens such as vancomycin-resistant enterococci, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci account for a significant number of nosocomial infections, and new options for therapy have been lacking. During the past year, two agents have been released that have activity against these organisms: quinupristin/dalfopristin and linezolid. Although neither agent is a panacea, these recently released agents offer new options for therapy. (C) 2000 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.