Gram-positive cocci multiresistant to antibiotics: activity of linezolid

The spread of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium strains multiresistant to antibiotics has been reported for several years. The recent emergence of glycopeptide resistance in some strains belonging to these species and cumulative resistance traits may result in resistance to all antibiotics that can be used for treat systemic infections. Linezolid is the first molecule of a new antibiotic family, oxazolidinones. It is active against Gram-positive microorganisms, regardless of their multiple resistance to other antibiotics, because of the lack of cross-resistance due to its specific mode of action. This antibiotic should be active in case of infection due to multiply antibiotic resistant bacteria. (C) 2002 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS. All rights reserved.