SELECTIVE MEDIA FOR DETECTING GASTROINTESTINAL CARRIAGE OF VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCI

Nosocomial infection with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) has b ecome a significant problem. Effective institution of infection contro l measures depends on rapid identification of carriage of the organism , especially in asymptomatic individuals. We compared two selective me dia for use in screening for the presence of VRE and found that an aga r medium containing bile esculin azide supplemented with 8 mu g/ml of vancomycin was a useful and cost-effective means for primary screening for asymptomatic gastrointestinal carriage of VRE.