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Detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization in a children's hospital
J C Christenson1, E K Korgenski, E Jenkins
1Hospital Epidemiology Program and Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Primary Children's Medical Center, and the Departments of Pediatrics and Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City 84132, USA.
Background:
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are important nosocomial pathogens in many hospitals. The true prevalence of VRE in pediatric hospitals is not known.
Methods:
A surveillance study was performed at a pediatric tertiary care medical center by using vancomycin-containing screening media.
Results:
Six children (of 112 screened) were found to be colonized with VRE. Colonized patients had a history of receiving broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents.
Conclusion:
In the absence of VRE infections, surveillance studies can help determine the extent of VRE colonization and support infection control measures.