Abstract:
Since the first description of enterococcal infective endocarditis (IE) in 1899 and the subsequent availability of antibiotics for the treatment of this life-threatening infection, clinicians have faced important challenges in the management of this disease Enterococci exhibit intrinsic antibiotic resistance (eg, to cephalosporins , clindamycin), are less susceptible to various antibiotics (eg, β-lactams) that are active against streptococci and staphylococci, and are often tolerant to compounds (penicillin) that normally have a bactericidal effect against other susceptible bacteria.The lack of efficacy of penicillin for many cases of enterococcal IE sparked interest in possible alternative therapies.
