Identify an effective treatment for infections caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE).

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) present a significant challenge in clinical settings due to their resistance to multiple antibiotics, including vancomycin. The effective treatment for infections caused by these pathogens generally includes antibiotics specifically designed to target resistant strains.

Linezolid is an oxazolidinone antibiotic that is particularly effective against gram-positive bacteria, including VRE. It works by inhibiting protein synthesis, making it a viable treatment option in infections where other antibiotics are ineffective due to resistance. Daptomycin is another effective option, as it disrupts the bacterial cell membrane potential and is also active against VRE. Both of these medications are specifically designed for use against resistant infections and have demonstrated effectiveness in clinical studies.

In contrast, other options such as gentamicin, cephalexin, and clarithromycin do not effectively treat VRE. Gentamicin is an aminoglycoside that typically needs synergy with cell wall-active agents for effectiveness against enterococci, which is not typically the case with VRE. Cephalexin is a first-generation cephalosporin, which is ineffective against enterococci due to its intrinsic resistance profile. Clarithromycin, a macrolide antibiotic, is not indicated