Gram-positive infections including those due to methicillin-resistant staphylococci occur
frequently in febrile neutropaenic patients. Although few data support the empirical addition
of a glycopeptide antibiotic to the standard broad-spectrum antibiotic regimen, these
agents are often used in many cancer centres. The emergence of infections due to vancomycin-
resistant enterococci and glycopeptide-intermediate staphylococci has led to recommendations
for a restricted use of glycopeptide antibiotics. The objective of the
present work was to formulate evidence-based guidelines for the empirical use of anti-
Gram-positive antibiotics in neutropaenic patients with acute leukaemia.