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Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium sensitivity to isopropyl alcohol before and after implementing alcohol hand
Consuelo G Tinajero1, Miriam Bobadilla-Del Valle2, Jose A Alvarez3
1Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Medicine, University of Guanajuato, León, Mexico.
Abstract:
A recent study reported enterococci that developed alcohol tolerance. We measured minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of isopropyl alcohol against 55 vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium. We did not find an increase in MICs when comparing the periods before and after the use of alcohol for hand hygiene in a hospital, and we did not find a single isolate with a MIC higher than 11.5%. We consider alcohol to still be an effective measure for hand antisepsis.
Insights
Alcohol-based hand hygiene remains effective against enterococci. A study found no increased alcohol tolerance in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium, confirming its utility in healthcare settings.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Enterococci are a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections.
- The emergence of antibiotic resistance, such as vancomycin resistance, complicates treatment options.
- Alcohol-based hand rubs are a cornerstone of infection control to prevent pathogen transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential development of alcohol tolerance in clinical isolates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE).
- To assess the continued efficacy of alcohol-based hand hygiene against VRE.
- To evaluate minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of isopropyl alcohol for VRE isolates.
Main Methods:
- Collected 55 isolates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium.
- Measured the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of isopropyl alcohol against these isolates.
- Compared MICs from isolates collected before and after the implementation of alcohol-based hand hygiene protocols.
Main Results:
- No significant increase in the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of isopropyl alcohol was observed.
- All tested isolates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium remained susceptible to isopropyl alcohol.
- No isolate exhibited a MIC higher than 11.5%.
Conclusions:
- Alcohol-based hand hygiene remains a highly effective method for reducing VRE transmission in hospitals.
- Current alcohol formulations are adequate for hand antisepsis against VRE.
- Continued adherence to alcohol-based hand hygiene protocols is recommended for infection control.
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