Korean J Crit Care Med.  2005 Jun;20(1):54-62.

Clinical Characteristics in Patients with Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Colonization or Infection during 5 years in a Private General Hospital

• Kim JK
• Kim CH
• Han SY
• Byun HW
• Park WJ
• Woo HJ
• Hyun IG
• Lee JJ
• Lee KM

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is increasing rapidly through the world and is now a major cause of nosocomial infection. The transmission dynamics and factors contributing their dissemination are complex. We conducted a study to investigate clinical characteristics in patients with VRE colonization or infection during recent 5 years. METHODS: 154 cases that had the VRE infection or colonization from January 1, 2000 to April, 2004, were reviewed. We analyzed the risk factors of VRE infection and colonization and also compared various parameters contributing their dissemination between burn and non-burn patients with VRE. RESULTS: Total 212 strains of VRE were isolated from 154 patients. Of 212 strains of VRE, Enterococcus faecium (178 strains, 83.9%) were most common and followed by E. casseliflavus (28 strains, 13.2%), E. faecalis (5 strains, 2.4%) and E. gallinaum (1 strains, 0.5%). The most common place of VRE isolation was in burn intensive care unit (ICU), 95 cases (61.7%); 27 cases (17.5%) in general wards; 17 cases (11.0%) in surgical ICU; 15 cases (9.7%) in medical ICU. Compared with patients with VRE colonization, patients with VRE infection had older age, higher APACHE II scores and high death rate significantly. Then, VRE colonization were more common in burn patients while VRE infection were more common in non-burn patients. CONCLUSIONS: The findings from this study suggest that VRE infection are not uncommon among hospitalized patients. More strict infection control, close surveillance and judicious use of antibiotics may be warranted to prevent infection and transmission of VRE.

Keyword

Burn; Intensive care unit (ICU); Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
APACHE
Burns
Colon*
Cross Infection
Enterococcus faecium
Hospitals, General*
Humans
Infection Control
Intensive Care Units
Mortality
Patients' Rooms
Risk Factors
Anti-Bacterial Agents