Intestinal Colonization of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Isolates among Patients in an Iranian Hospital

Abstract

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) remain as one of the important cause of nosocomial infections. Reports of the VRE carriers are increasing worldwide. In this study, a total of 220 patients was screened for vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization, of which 36 (16.3%) were VRE carriers. Among the VRE isolates, 17 were vanA positive. The distribution of VRE carriers in different wards that pose high risks for healthcare infection to hospitalized patients emphasizes applying suitable infection control strategies to prevent the dissemination of the organism. This is the first report from Iran in which a vanA-containing enterococci were isolated from intestinal colonization of patients. Strict measures are required to control the further spread of VRE strains in the Iranian patients.

Keywords

• vancomycin-resistant enterococci
• antibiotic resistance
• colonization surveillance
• hospital infection control