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Clearance of infant vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium carriage after a neonatal inpatient outbreak

David M Lister1, Kenneth Tan2, Elizabeth Carse3

  • 1Monash Infectious Diseases, Monash Health, Clayton, Victoria, Australia.

American Journal of Infection Control
|May 23, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Fecal vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) carriage in infants is transient. A 14-month study confirmed all 19 infants cleared VRE colonization, supporting its temporary nature in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Hospital outbreaks can lead to infant colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms.
  • Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) poses a significant infection control challenge.
  • Understanding VRE carriage dynamics in infants is crucial for managing outbreaks.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the duration of fecal VRE carriage in infants following a hospital outbreak.
  • To assess the natural clearance rate of VRE colonization in pediatric patients.
  • To evaluate the hypothesis that VRE carriage in infants is transient.

Main Methods:

  • A prospective cohort study design was employed.
  • Fecal specimens were collected from 19 colonized infants over a 14-month period.
  • Regular surveillance testing was performed to document VRE clearance.

Main Results:

  • All 19 infants in the cohort achieved terminal negative fecal specimens.
  • The clearance of VRE colonization was confirmed within the 14-month study duration.
  • No persistent VRE carriage was observed in the studied infant population.

Conclusions:

  • Infant colonization with VRE during hospital outbreaks appears to be transient.
  • The findings support the natural clearance of VRE in this vulnerable population.
  • This suggests that aggressive, long-term interventions may not always be necessary for VRE clearance in infants.

Keywords:
ColonizationMulti-resistant organismsNeonates

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