Comparison of activities of broad-spectrum β-lactam compounds against 1,128 gram-positive cocci recently isolated in cancer treatment centers

We report the in vitro activities of broad-spectrum p-lactam antimicrobials tested against 1,128 grampositive pathogens recently isolated from cancer patients. Cefepime and imipenem were more active than ceftazidime and ceftriaxone against these organisms. Only vancomycin demonstrated reliable activity against oxacillin-resistant staphylococci, Enterococcus spp., and Corynebacterium spp. The spectrum of gram positive organisms against which cefepime and imipenem have activity provides an advantage over ceftazidime as empiric therapy for cancer patients, potentially reducing the need for the empiric addition of glycopeptides.