English

Abstract

The increasing occurrence of Enterococcus species , worldwide, since late 1980s, is of particular concern due to the emergence of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE). The appearance of VRE has limited the therapeutic options available for clinicians. VRE infection is the most common type of infection acquired by patients while hospitalized. Patients at risk for VRE are those who are already ill, and hospitalized, including individuals with diabetes, elderly, ICU patients, kidney failure patients, or patients requiring catheters. Present study was undertaken to detect vancomycin resistance in enterococcal isolates from hospitalized patients and the comparison of Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and vancomycin agar screen method to screen for vancomycin resistance. A total of 45 enterococcal isolates from various samples of hospitalized patients were speciated by standard biochemical reactions and screened to detect vancomycin resistance by Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method and vancomycin agar screen method. Out of 45 enterococcal isolates, 26 (57.77%) were Enterococcus faecalis, 18 (40%) were Enrerococcus faecium and 1(3.33%) was Enterococcus avium. Resistance to vancomycin was 29% (13 isolates) where as 71% (32 isolates) were sensitive. By Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, 1 isolate (2%) showed resistance to vancomycin whereas by vancomycin screen agar, 13 (29%) showed resistance. The study highlights that vancomycin screen agar method is more sensitive than Kirby- Bauer disc diffusion method for detecting vancomycin resistance in enterococcal isolates. This study also signals the emergence of VRE in the hospital and highlights the importance of screening for VRE in enterococcal isolates from various samples.