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Phenotypic & genotypic characterization of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus isolates from clinical specimens

Ira Praharaj1, S Sujatha, Subhash Chandra Parija

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education & Research, Puducherry, India.

The Indian Journal of Medical Research
|January 18, 2014
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is a growing concern in hospitals. This study found the VanA gene to be the most common cause of VRE, highlighting the need for better infection control strategies.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Research

Background:

  • Enterococci are significant nosocomial pathogens.
  • Increasing antimicrobial resistance, particularly to vancomycin, complicates treatment.
  • Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) poses a critical challenge in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To conduct a phenotypic and genotypic characterization of VRE isolates.
  • To identify vancomycin resistance genes in clinical samples from a tertiary care hospital in southern India.

Main Methods:

  • Collected and tested 367 Enterococcus isolates over one year.
  • Determined minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for vancomycin and teicoplanin using agar dilution.
  • Performed multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for genotypic analysis of vancomycin resistance genes.

Main Results:

  • 32 out of 367 isolates (8.7%) were identified as VRE.
  • The VanA gene was the most prevalent genotype and phenotype associated with vancomycin resistance.
  • Observed heterogeneity in vanA gene clusters and co-existence of vanA and vanC1 genes in E. gallinarum.

Conclusions:

  • Enterococcus species are significant nosocomial pathogens in the study population.
  • The prevalence of VRE (8.7%) was high compared to other Indian studies.
  • VanA is the predominant mechanism for glycopeptide resistance, with observed genotypic and phenotypic diversity in VRE.

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