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

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.