Rational approaches to the therapy of nosocomial infections caused by gram-positive microorganisms in cancer p

Abstract

Nosocomial infections caused by gram-positive organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus and enterococci (Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis) are steadily increasing in almost all clinics around the world. Cancer patients have a higher risk of hospital-acquired infections than non-cancer patients. Cancer patients are immunosuppressed due to increased use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs, radiation therapy, surgery and use of steroids. This paper presents an analysis of resistance of gram-positive bacterial pathogens to antimicrobial agents to determine treatment strategy for cancer patients.

Keywords

• nosocomial infections
• gram-positive infections
• infections in cancer patients
• staphylococcus aureus, enterococci, taxonomic structure, resistance to antibiotics