The Evaluation of Patients Colonized/Infected with Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci Between 2002-2011 in Karadeniz Technical University Hospital

Introduction: Today, vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) are the most important causes of epidemics in our country as in the world. The aim of this study was to investigate patients with VRE in our hospital over the last 10 years. Materials and Methods: In this study, all 60 patients infected/colonized VRE in Karadeniz Technical University Hospital between January 2002-June 2011 were evaluated retrospectively. Results: Only one of the patients was seen in 2002. A marked increase in epidemics was seen from 2002 to 2011. Seventeen of the 60 patients were seen in the first six months of 2011. Prolonged hospitalization and history of multiple antibiotic use were present in almost all index cases. VRE colonization and infection were determined in 18 (30%) and 42 (70%) of these patients, respectively. Urinary colonization and infections were the most prevalent. The second common infection was bacteremia. Perirectal/rectal colonization was only seen in 18 (30%) patients. Linezolid was used in 16 (89%), tigecycline plus amikacin in 1 (5.5%), and teicoplanin plus amikacin in 1 (5.5%) of the VRE-infected patients. Mortality was seen in 10 (17%) patients but the attributable mortality rate was 5% (3 patients). Conclusion: As indicated in our study, the most important approaches in controlling the spread of VRE are to resolve the deficiency in infrastructure and shortage of personnel. One of the important tasks of the Infection Control Committee is to review all infection control applications regarding their appropriateness, in addition to providing training