INCREASING VANCOMYCIN RESISTANCE IN ENTEROCOCCUS SPP IN AUSTRALIA - FACING THE CHALLENGE IN THE LABORATORY

High level vancomycin resistance in enterococci (VRE) is increasing in Australia, If the spread of VRE is to be checked, then it is vital fo r laboratories to be able to detect it promptly and accurately. We hav e established a rapid and accurate screening method using Enterococcos el agar supplemented with 6 mg/l vancomycin. It can recover VRE from s piked feces, it may be used to screen feces for carriage of VRE and it is not subject to the confounding effects which feces introduce to br oth enrichment culture.