Vancomycin-Resistant Entrococci colonization in chronic hemodialysis patients and its risk factors in southern Iran (2005-2006)

BACKGROUND Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) recently have emerged as a nosocomial pathogen among dialysis patients. This study aims to appraise the prevalence, incidence density and risk factors for VRE colonization among these patients. METHODS In this prospective study, 782 stool or rectal swab specimens were collected from 250 chronic hemodialysis patients with an interval of at least one month. To identify the risk factors of VRE colonization, demographic and health data of VRE+ and VRE- patients were compared. RESULTS VRE colonization was detected in 55 (22%) patients during study. Incidence density of one case per 79.6 patient-month of follow up was estimated.The only significant difference between the data collected from VRE+ and VRE- patients was observed in antibiotic consumption (P<0.001). CONCLUSION VRE colonization is relatively high and rapidly spreading among chronic dialysis patients. It is strongly associated with recently antibiotic consumption.