the nephrotoxigenic effects of aminoglycosides and other drugs. Earlier problems in antimicrobial susceptibility testing have been solved by addition of glucose 6 phosphate into the growth medium. Fosfomycin, the first representative of a completely new class of antibiotics does not show cross- resistance with other antibiotics; therefore pathogens of nosocomial infections, particularly methicillin- und gentamicin-resistant staphylococci are mostly susceptible to this antibiotic. Clinical investigations show a favorable therapeutic outcome in severe nosocomial infections despite of previous therapeutic approaches with various other potent antibiotics. In an international symposium in Mexico City the available clinical experience with this drug was presented and indications for the use of this antibiotic were established. Prof Dr. K. H. Spitzy Contents Summary-Zusammenfassung ......................................................... .