Isolation of vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci are increasingly being reported from many parts of the world. We describe a case of peritonitis with Enterococcus faecium exhibiting the van A phenotype. The organism was resistant to vancomycin, teicoplanin, amoxycillin and high levels of streptomycin. Rectal swabs from more than 25 other patients who were in the hospital at the same time were negative. No staff members were found to be colonised. Infection control measures were effective in preventing the spread of the resistant Enterococcus faecium. Regular surveillance of enterococcal isolates and faecal specimens or rectal swabs of patients at high risk may be justified to determine the level of vancomycin resistance in Australian hospitals. Comm Dis Intell 1996; 20; 400-401