Abstract
Incidence of gram-positive infections caused by bacteria resistant to commonly used antibiotics has been on the increase in the past decades. Resistant strains appeared in the Czech Republic later than in other countries, however their number has been increasing and the use of new antibiotics is becoming necessary.
The greatest increase of incidence can be seen in infections caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci are usually found in hemato-oncology patients.
The curative use of vancomycin is limited due to its narrow therapeutical range, nephrotoxicity and limited penetration into tissues (lung) and CSF. Linezolide is a good option mainly in infections of skin and soft tissues, and it has an evincible advantage over vancomycin in the treatment of nosocomial pneumonia and surgical-site infections.
Oral forms are favourable allowing switch therapy and earlier discharge from hospital.