Abstract
Background: Enterococcus is an important cause of infection in the hospital as well as in the community. Methods: A prospective study was done in Medical College, Kolkata for a period of 2 years (from January 2018 to December 2019). After obtaining clearance from the Institutional Ethics Committee, Enterococcus isolates from cases of vaginitis were included in the study. Identification of Enterococcus species was done by Gram stain and conventional biochemical tests along with automated identification by VITEK 2 Compact. These isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility to different antibiotics by Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) by VITEK 2 Compact. Interpretation of susceptibility was done according to the Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) 2017 guidelines. Biofilm detection for Enterococcus species was done. Results: During the period of 2 years, 39 isolates of Enterococcus spp. were obtained from vaginitis cases. Among these, 27 were Enterococcus faecalis and 12 Enterococcus faecium. All isolates were highly susceptible to vancomycin, teicoplanin, and linezolid. Biofilm was detected in eight isolates of which five were strong biofilm producer and three moderate biofilm producers. Conclusion: Biofilm production is an important virulence factor in Enterococcus isolates from vaginitis.
Highlights
When the initial barrier is broken down, the vagina might be colonized by pathogens which might result in several urogenital conditions including aerobic vaginitis [2]
In a study done among 657 patients with vaginal symptoms, there were cases of aerobic vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis, and mixed infections
Bacterial vaginosis is related to a change in vaginal tract ecology, which includes a decrease in the concentration and/or prevalence of facultative lactobacilli
Summary
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. The alteration of vaginal ecosystem contributes to the growth of pathogens which causes vaginal infections like bacterial vaginosis, sexually transmitted infections, and vulvovaginal candidiasis among others Predisposing factors such as menstruation, pregnancy, sexual practice, uncontrolled usage of antibiotics, and vaginal douching can alter the microbial population and lead to infections. In a study done among 657 patients with vaginal symptoms, there were cases of aerobic vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, trichomoniasis, and mixed infections. The acquired resistance of enterococci is due to DNA mutation or acquiring of other new genes through different methods of gene transfer This leads to development of resistance against many antibiotics like vancomycin, tetracycline, macrolides, fluoroquinolones, and others [13]. Biofilm production is extremely important in recurrent bacterial infection It protects the bacteria from antibiotics [17]. The antimicrobial susceptibility pattern along with the biofilm production was looked for in these cases
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