In vitro activities of linezolid against important gram-positive bacterialpathogens including vancomycin-resistant enterococci

The emergence of resistance in gram-positive bacteria has necessitated a se arch for new antimicrobial agents. Linezolid is an oxazolidinone, a new cla ss of antibacterial agents with enhanced activity against pathogens. We com pared the activity of linezolid to those of other antimicrobial agents agai nst 3,945 clinical isolates. Linezolid demonstrated potent activity against all isolates tested. For all vancomycin-susceptible enterococci, staphyloc occi, and streptococci, the activity of linezolid was comparable to that of vancomycin. Against oxacillin-resistant staphylococci and vancomycin-resis tant enterococci, linezolid was the most active agent tested. In summary, l inezolid appears to be a promising new antimicrobial agent for the treatmen t of gram-positive infections.