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Updated: Mar 14, 2026

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci: Epidemiology, Infection Prevention, and Control
Katherine Reyes1, Ana Cecilia Bardossy2, Marcus Zervos3
1Infection Prevention and Control, Division of Infectious Disease, Henry Ford Hospital, Henry Ford Health System, 2799 West Grand Boulevard, CFP 302, Detroit, MI 48202, USA.
Abstract:
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infections have acquired prominence as a leading cause of health care-associated infections. Understanding VRE epidemiology, transmission modes in health care settings, risk factors for colonization, and infection is essential to prevention and control of VRE infections. Infection control strategies are pivotal in management of VRE infections and should be based on patient characteristics, hospital needs, and available resources. Hand hygiene is basic to decrease acquisition of VRE. The effectiveness of surveillance and contact precautions is variable and controversial in endemic settings, but important during VRE outbreak investigations and control. Environmental cleaning, chlorhexidine bathing, and antimicrobial stewardship are vital in VRE prevention and control.
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