Resistance issues and treatment implications: pneumococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, and gram-negative rods.

During the last decade there has been an unexpectedly rapid evolution of antimicrobial resistance in the respiratory pathogens for community- and hospital-acquired pneumonia. In order to choose the most optimal therapy for their patients, it is essential that physicians be aware of the prevalence and mechanisms of resistance and their implications on the effectiveness of the various antimicrobials.