[Case report: a nosocomial infection caused by vancomycin resistant enterococcus]

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Clinical Microbiology
• Hospital Epidemiology

Background:

• Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) poses a significant threat in healthcare settings.
• Early detection and isolation are crucial for VRE outbreak prevention.
• This study addresses the initial VRE case in a university hospital.

Observation:

• A fatal VRE sepsis case occurred in a patient with chronic renal failure and diabetes.
• A subsequent point prevalence study screened patients and staff in the affected unit.
• A second VRE strain was identified in another patient with chronic renal failure.

Findings:

• VRE was isolated from the initial sepsis patient and a second patient with pulmonary abscesses.
• Rectal swabs were used for VRE screening in patients and healthcare personnel.
• Nasal and fingertip samples were collected from staff to assess transmission routes.

Implications:

• Highlights the critical need for prompt VRE screening and patient isolation.
• Emphasizes the importance of surveillance to prevent VRE transmission and outbreaks.
• Suggests VRE screening protocols should be implemented upon initial detection.