Vancomycin-resistant enterococci in neonatal stool as a cause of septicemia: Challenges for infection control practices

Abstract

The increasing reports of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) as a cause of neonatal septicemia are of recent interest. However, in majority of the cases, the source of VRE could not be located. As a consequence, the real importance of VRE and its control measures is undermined. Herein, we report a case of neonatal septicemia due to VRE (Enterococcus faecalis) of vanA genotype with VRE carriage in stool of the neonates as a possible source of sepsis. The report put forwards some lacunae in the infection control practices that are presently followed in the country.

Keywords

• Infection control
• neonatal Intensive Care Unit
• septicemia
• vancomycin-resistant enterococci