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Occurrence of antibiotic resistant enterococci in clinical specimens from a pediatric hospital

Maria Rudy1, Maria Zientara, Tomasz Bek

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, Medical University of Silesia, Katowice, Poland.

Polish Journal of Microbiology
|October 8, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Enterococcal infections are a growing concern. This study found high rates of antibiotic resistance, particularly high-level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR) and synercid resistance in E. faecium, highlighting the need for infection control.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

  • Enterococcal infections pose significant clinical challenges, with Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium being the most common culprits.
  • Recent reports indicate the isolation of other enterococcal species from clinical settings, expanding the spectrum of concern.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the drug resistance patterns of 97 enterococcal strains isolated from clinical specimens.
  • To evaluate susceptibility to vancomycin, teicoplanin, aminoglycosides, and synercid in a pediatric hospital setting.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the E-test method for susceptibility testing.
  • Tested 97 enterococcal isolates against vancomycin, teicoplanin, gentamycin, streptomycin, and quinupristine/dalfopristine.

Main Results:

  • 53% of isolates exhibited high-level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR).
  • All strains were susceptible to teicoplanin.
  • 70% of Enterococcus faecium strains showed resistance to synercid.
  • Most Enterococcus faecalis strains were sensitive to vancomycin, with a few showing low sensitivity.

Conclusions:

  • Antibiotic resistance, including HLAR and synercid resistance, is prevalent in clinical enterococcal isolates.
  • Teicoplanin demonstrated broad susceptibility across tested enterococci.
  • Effective infection control and antibiotic sensitivity monitoring are crucial to prevent the spread of resistant strains in pediatric healthcare settings.

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