Risk Factors for Colonization and Acquisition with Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in Intensive Care Units

Han, Su Ha; Park, Ho Ran

Abstract

PURPOSE: In this study active surveillance culture for ICU patients, in whom the risk of VRE infection was high were conducted, and through this the VRE colonization rate and the characteristics of the colonization were examined and risk factors involved in VRE colonization and acquisition were analyzed. METHOD: This research was performed with 635 patients admitted to ICU between July 1 and December 31, 2006.
RESULTS
On admission to ICU, the VRE colonization rate was 2.36%, 93% identified from active surveillance culture. The VRE colonization rate was significantly higher in those patients with cancer (OR=9.43; 95% CI=1.38~62.50; P=.022), liver cirrhosis (OR=55.5; 95% CI=7.29~500; P=.005), transferred from other hospitals (OR=200; 95% CI=22.73~1000; P=.000), high APACHE II score (OR=1.107; 95% CI=1.010~1.213; P=.029), or antibiotics within the last 3 months (OR=15.87; 95% CI=2.27~111.11; P=.005). The VRE acquisition rate was 5.2%. It was significantly higher in those who were using a ventilator (OR=26.31; 95% CI=5.13~142.86; P=.000), three or more kinds of antibiotics during admission (OR=58.82; 95% CI=16.13~200; P=.000), or high APACHE II score (OR=1.16; 95% CI=1.08~ 1.24; P=.000).
CONCLUSION
The results of this study show that active surveillance culture can detect VRE colonization on admission to ICU and those who have acquired VRE in ICU. The analyzed VRE colonization and risk factors of VRE acquisition are expected to be useful in establishing guidelines for preventing VRE infection in ICU.