VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCI - CLINICAL, MICROBIOLOGIC, AND EPIDEMIOLOGIC FEATURES

Enterococci have emerged as important nasocomial pathogens with increa sing antimicrobial resistance. Within the past 5 years, vancomycin-res istant strains have disseminated throughout the United States and Euro pe, Many of these organisms are also highly resistant to beta-lactams and aminoglycosides, making them virtually untreatable, Because optima l therapy for these infections is unknown, attributable mortality rate s for patients with vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteremia are e xtremely high. Recently identified risk factors for acquisition includ e prolonged hospitalization, prior antibiotic use, and serious underly ing illness. Until effective therapy is available, prevention of infec tion by proper infection control procedures and judicious antibiotic u se is critical.