SPECIATION AND ANTIMICROBIAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF ENTEROCOCCI FROM PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Introduction: Enterococci have evolved from normal commensals to multidrug resistant pathogen. Enterococci are often reported in association with hospital-acquired infections. Management of Enterococcal infections has become challenging due to the emergence of multidrug resistant strains. Objectives: To speciate and detect the antibiotic susceptibility of Enterococci isolated from different clinical specimens.Materials and Methods: Atotal of 100 Enterococci strains isolated from clinical samples were tested using standard microbiological procedures. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for vancomycin was tested by agar dilution and E-strip methods. Results: Enterococci infections were more common in age groups, 21-40 years and 41-60 years with male preponderance. Isolates of Enterococci were more frequently associated with post operative wound infection (26%). E. faecalis (55%) was the predominant species, followed by E. faecium (45%). E. faecium showed 80% resistance to penicillin and ampicillin, while E. faecalis showed 38% resistance. All Enterococci isolates were 100% sensitive to vancomycin, linezolid and teicoplanin by the disc diffusion method; however, MIC for vancomycin by agar dilution and E-strip methods showed one strain of E. faecium resistant to vancomycin. Conclusion: Enterococci identication to the species level should be stressed in routine laboratory practice. Vancomycin resistance detection in Enterococci by the MIC method should be preferred as it helps reduce the morbidity and mortality due to Vancomycin resistant Enterococci.