Geographic spread of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) clones in cities, countries, or even continents has been identified by molecular techniques. This study aimed at characterizing virulent genes and determining genetic relatedness of 45 VRE isolates from Trinidad and Tobago using molecular tools, including polymerase chain reaction, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and Random Am...

PURPOSE This study was aimed to describe a vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) outbreak across three intensive care units (ICUs) of a Korean hospital from September 2006 to January 2007 and the subsequent control strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS We simultaneously implemented multifaceted interventions to control the outbreak, including establishing a VRE cohort ward, active rectal surveil...

BACKGROUND The impact of antibiotic resistance on the clinical outcome of patients with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) bacteremia remains unclear. There are limited data comparing patient outcomes during the early era of vancomycin resistance with the period of more-potent antibiotic availability. METHODS A retrospective review was conducted of 113 patients with VRE bacteremia at a s...

The promotion of colonization with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is one potential side effect during treatment of Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), resulting from disturbances in gut microbiota. Cadazolid (CDZ) is an investigational antibiotic with potent in vitro activity against C. difficile and against VRE and is currently in clinical development for the treatment of...

BACKGROUND Recently, the iNtRON VRE vanA/vanB real-time PCR (iNtRON; iNtRON Biotechnology, Korea) assay, a multiplex real-time PCR method, was introduced. In this prospective study, we compared the iNtRON assay with the Seeplex VRE ACE detection kit (Seeplex; Seegene, Korea), a conventional multiplex PCR assay. METHODS A chromogenic agar-based culture, in which pre-selected vancomycin-resista...

OBJECTIVE To evaluate 2 active surveillance strategies for detection of enteric vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in an intensive care unit (ICU). DESIGN Thirty-month prospective observational study. SETTING ICU at a university-affiliated referral center. PATIENTS All patients with an ICU stay of 24 hours or more were eligible for the study. INTERVENTION Clinical active surveillanc...

Screening for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) has not been universally implemented within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). A prospective study was conducted to identify the admission prevalence rate of VRE in patients admitted to the intensive care unit in 2 VA facilities. Significant regional differences were found between the 2 facilities. Further studies are needed to account...

OBJECTIVE This study was aimed to identify the incidence and risk factors of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) colonization in neurosurgical practice of field, with particular attention to intensive care unit (ICU). METHODS This retrospective study was carried out on the Neurosurgical ICU (NICU), during the period from January. 2005 to December. 2007, in 414 consecutive patients who had...

OBJECTIVE To determine the net benefit and costs associated with gown use in preventing transmission of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). DESIGN A cost-benefit analysis measuring the net benefit of gowns was performed. Benefits, defined as averted costs from reduced VRE colonization and infection, were estimated using a matched cohort study. Data sources included a step-down cost alloc...

BACKGROUND During 2013, the haematology/oncology unit at a tertiary level paediatric hospital in South Africa experienced the emergence of infection with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). OBJECTIVE To describe the clinical and molecular aspects of the cases identified. METHODS VRE isolates identified from blood culture specimens processed at the National Health Laboratory Service wer...