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Colonial variation in vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium

L W Baillie1, J J Wade, M W Casewell

  • 1Department of Medical Microbiology, King's College School of Medicine & Dentistry, Denmark Hill, London.

Journal of Clinical Pathology
|May 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary
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Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) exhibit significant colonial variation in hospital isolates. These variants are biologically similar, potentially leading to misidentification of pure cultures as mixed or contaminated.

Area of Science:

  • Medical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Clinical Diagnostics

Background:

  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are a growing concern in healthcare settings.
  • Enterococcus faecium is a common cause of VRE infections in inpatients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize the colonial variation observed in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolates.
  • To assess the clinical and diagnostic implications of this colonial variation.

Main Methods:

  • Isolation and culturing of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium from inpatient samples.
  • Analysis of colonial morphology.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
  • Biochemical characterization.
  • Ribotyping.

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Main Results:

  • Most vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolates displayed significant colonial variation within the same culture.
  • Colonial variants were indistinguishable using antimicrobial susceptibility testing, biochemical reactions, and ribotyping.
  • This variation did not reflect genetic or phenotypic differences relevant to resistance or identification.

Conclusions:

  • Colonial variation in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium is a common phenomenon.
  • Failure to recognize this variation can lead to misinterpretation of laboratory results.
  • Accurate identification of VRE requires awareness of potential colonial heterogeneity to avoid misclassifying pure cultures.