Characterization and antimicrobial profile of enterococcal species from various clinical samples in a tertiary care centre

Abstract

have long been recognised as low virulence bacteria occurring as commensals in the human intestine. However in the last two decades they emerged as one of the leading causes of nosocomial infections with the development of resistance to antibiotics. So appropriate identification and characterization and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Enterococcal species is necessary for management and prevention of these infections.150 isolates of Enterococcal species were obtained from various clinical samples. Characterisation was done by standard Microbiological methods and antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion method and Vancomycin MIC tested by E- test.Out of 150 isolates from various clinical samples like urine 93(62%), pus 45(30%), blood 7(4.6%) and other body fluids 5(3%), 131(87.3%) was the predominant isolate followed by 14(9.3%), 2(1.3%), 2(1.3%) and 1(0.6%). All isolates were sensitive to Vancomycin, Teicoplanin and Linezolid. Sensitivity to High level Gentamicin was 92%. Rate of resistance to Penicillin 150(100%), Tetracycline 95(63.3%), Ciprofloxacin 103(68.6%) and Ampicillin 67(44.6%).Even though no Vancomycin resistant strains were isolated from our study, there is incidence of Vancomycin resistant are emerging as potent pathogen. So methods for characterization, antimicrobial susceptibility testing and MIC of Vancomycin should be done routinely for Enterococcal species.