Vancomycin-resistant enterococci in a Chinese hospital.

Area of Science:

• Clinical microbiology
• Infectious diseases
• Molecular diagnostics

Background:

• Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) pose a significant threat in healthcare settings.
• Understanding the prevalence and genetic characteristics of VRE is essential for infection control.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the prevalence of VRE in a Chinese hospital.
• To characterize the vancomycin resistance genotypes of detected VRE isolates.
• To evaluate the utility of multiplex PCR for rapid VRE detection and genotyping.

Main Methods:

• Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for VRE detection.
• VITEK 2, microbroth dilution, and E-test for antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Sequencing of van genes for genotypic identification.

Main Results:

• Eleven VRE isolates were detected, including various species and van genotypes (VanA, VanB, VanC1, VanC2).
• Multiplex PCR provided rapid detection and van genotype information, outperforming phenotypic methods.
• This study is the first to sequence van genes of VRE isolates in China, identifying VanB type.

Conclusions:

• Multiplex PCR is a valuable tool for rapid VRE detection and genotypic characterization.
• The presence of diverse VRE strains, including VanB type, highlights the need for vigilant surveillance in China.
• Early detection of VRE is vital to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance.