Occurrence of co-colonization or co-infection with vancomycin-resistant enterococci and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a medical intensive care unit

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Critical Care Medicine
• Microbiology

Background:

• The prevalence of healthcare-associated infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms, such as VRE and MRSA, remains a significant concern in intensive care units (ICUs).
• Understanding the dynamics of co-colonization and co-infection is crucial for effective infection control strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the occurrence of co-colonization or co-infection with vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in adult patients admitted to a medical intensive care unit.
• To identify risk factors associated with VRE and MRSA co-colonization/co-infection.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, single-center, observational study was conducted in a 19-bed medical ICU.
• Eight hundred seventy-eight adult patients requiring at least 48 hours of intensive care and undergoing microbiologic evaluation were included.
• Data on VRE and MRSA colonization/infection and patient demographics were collected.

Main Results:

• Of 878 patients, 9.5% exhibited co-colonization or co-infection with VRE and MRSA.
• VRE colonization/infection was observed in 40.4% and MRSA in 4.3% of patients.
• Increasing age, recent hospitalization, and long-term care facility admission were associated with VRE and VRE/MRSA co-colonization/co-infection.

Conclusions:

• Co-colonization or co-infection with VRE and MRSA is a common occurrence in medical ICU patients.
• The findings underscore the necessity for stringent infection control protocols in ICUs to manage the spread of these resistant pathogens.
• The study emphasizes the importance of surveillance for both VRE and MRSA in critically ill patients.