Vancomycin resistant enterococci: an emerging problem in a tertiary care hospital, Pune, India

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Original Article

Author Details : Sae Pol, Deepa Devhare, Renu Bharadwaj

Volume : 3, Issue : 1, Year : 2017

Article Page : 27-30

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Abstract

Background and Objectives: Vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) have recently emerged as nosocomial pathogen with intrinsic resistance to many antimicrobial agents making them difficult to treat. We investigated the prevalence of vancomycin resistance in enterococci isolated in a tertiary health care set up.
Method: 200 stool samples from preoperative patients and 200 enterococci isolates from patients’ specimens were screened for VRE. Vancomycin resistance was confirmed phenotypically by macro broth dilution method and genotypically by PCR followed by sequencing. DNA sequencing results were used for genotyping.
Results: 19(4.75%) VRE were obtained. All VRE isolates showed van A and van M phenotypes. Van A gene was detected in all isolates by PCR.PCR amplified product was subjected to DNA sequencing. Three genotypes were obtained. Genotype I consisted of 16 VRE isolates indicating clonal dissemination. Genotypes II and III were comprised of 2 and 1 VRE isolate respectively indicating mutation or introduction of a new strain.
Interpretation and Conclusion: Being an emerging pathogen, VRE acts as a sensitive marker for measuring the effectiveness of infection control programme and the appropriate application of preventive measures. The study resulted in an increased awareness about VRE and implementation of control measures in the hospital to restrict spread of VRE.

Keywords: Genotype, VRE, MIC, Nosocomial, PCR, Sequencing

How to cite : Pol S, Devhare D, Bharadwaj R, Vancomycin resistant enterococci: an emerging problem in a tertiary care hospital, Pune, India. IP Int J Med Microbiol Trop Dis 2017;3(1):27-30

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