SEPTICEMIA DUE TO VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCUS - A CASE-REPORT

Enterococci commonly found in the intestinal flora have emerged as com mon nosocomial pathogens. Up till 1988, all enterococcal strains were sensitive to vancomycin. However, there are now reports of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE) from Europe and USA. In this communicatio n we report the case of a patient with acute myeloid leukaemia who was colonized with VRE and subsequently developed septicaemia. The entero cocci were resistant to both vancomycin and teicoplanin but sensitive to tetracycline and trimethoprim. The patient made a favourable respon se to tetracycline therapy. It is suggested that all enterococcal isol ates should be routinely screened for vancomycin resistance, especiall y in immunocompromised patients on prophylactic antibiotics.