ABSTRACT

Gram-negative rods were the predominant bacterial pathogens causing invasive disease in patients with cancer. However, a major rise in the incidence of Gram-positive infections occurred in the mid- to late-1980’s such that Gram-positive organisms now cause the majority of invasive bacterial disease in patients with cancer. Reasons for the increase in Gram-positive infections include, but are not limited to, antimicrobial prophylaxis strategies, increased use of long-term in-dwelling catheters, and advances in chemotherapeutic regimens. Regardless of the causal factors for the escalation of Gram-positive infections, physicians caring for patients with cancer need to be familiar with the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of, and the treatment options for a wide variety of diseases caused by Gram-positive bacteria.