Silvester Krčméry, Juraj Hromec, Daniela Ohlasová, Jana Sirotiaková, Etela Janeková, Klára Soláriková, Ivana Mišíková
Glycopeptide antibiotics vancomycin and teicoplanin have been recently considered as drugs of choice for severe grampositive infections. Linezolid, the first oxazolidinon used in Slovakia, confirmed in vitro tests during the period of time from 2000 to 2005 a very good antibacterial activity against resistant staphylococci, enterococci and pneumococci. In the group of 32 patients hospitalized in several Slovak hospitals for severe and nosocomial infections therapy with linezolid was successful in 87.5 % of patients. Compared with vancomycin, therapy with linezolid does not need monitoring of plasma levels. It is better tolerated. Almost total biologic availability of linezolid after oral administration enables to switch from parenteral to oral therapy, after clinical improvement of the status; it can shorten the time of hospitalization and reduce costs of the treatment.