Abstract

Enterococci are ubiquitous, facultative, anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria that mainly reside, as part of the normal microbiota, in the gastrointestinal tracts of several animal species, including humans. These bacteria have the capability to turn from a normal gut commensal organism to an invasive pathogen in patients debilitated by prolonged hospitalization, concurrent illnesses, and/or exposed to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The majority of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) infections are linked to the vanA genotype; however, outbreaks caused by vanB-type VREs have been increasingly reported, representing a new challenge for effective antimicrobial treatment. Teicoplanin, daptomycin, fosfomycin, and linezolid are useful antimicrobials for infections due to vanB enterococci. In addition, new drugs have been developed (e.g., dalbavancin, telavancin, and tedizolid), new molecules will soon be available (e.g., eravacycline, omadacycline, and oritavancin), and new treatment strategies are progressively being used in clinical practice (e.g., combination therapies and bacteriophages). The aim of this article is to discuss the pathogenesis of infections due to enterococci harboring the vanB operon (vanBVRE) and their therapeutic, state-of-the-art, and future treatment options and provide a comprehensive and easy to use review for clinical purposes.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.