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High level aminoglycoside resistance in enterococci isolated from hospitalized patients

K G Bhat1, C Paul, M G Bhat

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore.

The Indian Journal of Medical Research
|May 1, 1997
PubMed

Insights

High-level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR) was found in 10.7% of enterococci from hospitalized patients. Enterococcus faecium showed higher HLAR rates than Enterococcus faecalis, with one vancomycin-resistant strain identified.

Area of Science:

  • Clinical Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Enterococci are significant nosocomial pathogens.
  • Antimicrobial resistance in enterococci poses a therapeutic challenge.
  • High-level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR) is a key resistance mechanism.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of HLAR in enterococci from hospitalized patients.
  • To determine species-specific rates of HLAR.
  • To assess vancomycin susceptibility.

Main Methods:

  • Bacterial isolates were collected from hospitalized patients.
  • A total of 421 enterococcal strains were tested.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed for aminoglycosides and vancomycin.

Main Results:

  • Overall, 10.7% (45/421) of enterococcal strains exhibited HLAR.
  • HLAR prevalence was 8.2% in Enterococcus faecalis and 33.3% in Enterococcus faecium.
  • All Enterococcus faecalis strains were vancomycin-susceptible, but one Enterococcus faecium strain was vancomycin-resistant.

Conclusions:

  • HLAR is prevalent in enterococci from hospitalized patients, particularly in Enterococcus faecium.
  • The emergence of vancomycin resistance in HLAR strains is a concern.
  • Monitoring resistance patterns is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

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