Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci Bacteremia Research Articles

The Impact of the Rapid Blood Culture Identification Panel on Antibiotic Treatment and Clinical Outcomes in Bloodstream Infections, Particularly Those Associated with Multidrug-Resistant Micro-Organisms

We evaluated the impact of the FilmArray blood culture identification (BCID) panel on the time taken to administer effective antibiotics and the clinical outcomes of bloodstream infections. We retrospectively screened patients with bloodstream infections who underwent BCID testing and compared them to a historical control group that received conventional culture testing. A total of 144 and 214 patients who underwent BCID and conventional cultures, respectively, were compared. The 30-day mortality (BCID: 9.7% vs. conventional method: 10.7%, p = 0.755), time to effective antibiotic administration (3 h for both BCID and conventional method, p = 0.789), and time to appropriate antibiotic administration did not differ significantly between the groups. BCID was not significantly associated with 30-day mortality after adjusting for the Pitt bacteremia score and the Charlson comorbidity index (adjusted OR = 0.833, CI; 0.398–1.743). Compared with conventional methods, BCID reduced the time to administration of effective antibiotics in cases of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) (39 h vs. 93 h, p = 0.012) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) (50 h vs. 92 h, p < 0.001) bacteremia. BCID did not affect the clinical outcomes of overall bloodstream infections; however, it contributed to the early administration of effective antibiotics in cases of CRE and VRE bacteremia.

Elimination of routine screening and contact precautions for endemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus bacteremia: a retrospective study in intensive care units in Brazil

Elimination of routine screening and contact precautions for endemic methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus bacteremia: a retrospective study in intensive care units in Brazil

Impact of discontinuing isolation in a private room for patients infected or colonized with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) on the incidence of healthcare-associated VRE bacteraemia in a hospital with a predominantly shared-room setting

Isolating patients infected or colonized with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a private room or cohort room to prevent hospital transmission is controversial. To evaluate the effect of a relaxed isolation policy for VRE-infected or colonized patients on healthcare-associated (HA) VRE bacteraemia in an acute care hospital with a predominantly shared-room setting. The incidence of HA VRE bacteraemia was compared during a private isolation era (October 2014-September 2017), a cohort isolation era (October 2017-June 2020), and a no isolation era (July 2020-June 2022). Using Poisson regression modelling, an interrupted time-series analysis was conducted to analyse level changes and trends in incidences of HA VRE bacteraemia for each era. The proportion of VRE-infected or -colonized patients staying in shared rooms increased from 18.3% in the private isolation era to 82.6% in the no isolation era (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidences of HA VRE bacteraemia between the private isolation era and the cohort isolation era (relative risk: 1.01; 95% confidence interval: 0.52-1.98; P= 0.977) or between the cohort isolation era and the no isolation era (0.99; 0.77-1.26; P= 0.903). In addition, there was no significant slope increase in the incidence of HA VRE bacteraemia between any of the eras. In a hospital with predominantly shared rooms, the relaxation of isolation policy did not result in increased HA VRE bacteraemia, when other infection control measures were maintained.

Risk factors and outcomes associated with persistent vancomycin resistant Enterococcal Bacteremia

BackgroundPrior studies have identified that vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) bacteremia that persists for four days or more is an independent predictor of mortality. Despite this, there is no published data to identify those patients at highest risk of developing persistent VRE bacteremia.MethodsThis was a single center, retrospective, case-control study of adult patients with a VRE bloodstream infection (BSI). Case patients were those with persistent bacteremia (≥ 4 days despite VRE-directed therapy) and control patients were those with non-persistent bacteremia. Logistic regression was used to assess risk factors associated with persistent VRE BSIs. Secondary outcomes included in-hospital mortality, recurrent bacteremia, and breakthrough bacteremia.ResultsDuring the study period, 24/108 (22%) patients had persistently positive blood cultures. Risk factors for persistent bacteremia included severe neutropenia (OR 2.13), 4 out of 4 positive index blood cultures (OR 11.29) and lack of source control (OR 11.88). In an unadjusted analysis, no statistically significant differences in in-hospital mortality (58% versus 40%; p = 0.121), recurrent bacteremia (17% versus 6%; p = 0.090), or breakthrough bacteremia (13% versus 7%; p = 0.402) were observed between groups.ConclusionPatients with severe neutropenia, 4 out of 4 positive index blood culture bottles, and lack of source control were more likely to develop persistent VRE bacteremia despite directed antibiotic treatment.

Increasing trend in enterococcal bacteraemia and vancomycin resistance in a tertiary care hospital in Croatia, 2017–2021

Background The epidemiology of enterococcal bacteraemia has changed worldwide and vancomycin-resistant enterococci increasingly cause healthcare-associated infections) with limited treatment options. Studies show heterogeneity among countries, regions and individual hospitals. Methods We retrospectively analysed enterococcal bacteraemia with Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium at the largest hospital in Croatia, University Hospital Centre Zagreb from January 2017 to December 2021. Results A total of 432 cases of enterococcal bacteraemia were identified with 256 (59.3%) due to E. faecalis and 176 (40.7%) to E. faecium. Enterococcal bacteraemia occurred more frequently in men (n = 270; 62.5%) and the median age of all patients was 62 years (IQR: 0–92). We found statistically significant increase in the incidence trend of bacteraemic episodes with an annual percent change of 20.9% (95% confidence interval 14.3 to 27.8; p = .002) predominantly due to an increase of E. faecalis bacteraemia. The majority of patients (362/432; 83.8%) had healthcare-associated infections and 38.0% (165/432) of patients were in the intensive care unit. The proportion of vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteraemia increased from 12.7% (n = 8/63) in 2017 to 25.7% (n = 29/113) in 2021, statistically significant increasing trend (p = .0455), mainly due to an increased proportion of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium (p = .0169). Conclusions This is the first study describing the trends in enterococcal bacteraemia and vancomycin-resistance in enterococci in Croatia. We found a rising trend in enterococcal bacteraemia and in the proportion of vancomycin resistance and identified the most vulnerable patient groups, notably intensive care unit patients.

Time to Effective Therapy Is an Important Determinant of Survival in Bloodstream Infections Caused by Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus spp.

Enterococcal bloodstream infections (EBSI) caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are associated with a significant rate of unfavorable outcomes. No definitive data have been reported about the association between delayed antibiotic therapy and mortality. In this prospective observational study in three large hospitals in Italy (from August 2016 to April 2021), all consecutive hospitalized patients with a confirmed diagnosis of hospital-acquired monomicrobial BSI caused by VRE—with no evidence of endocarditis—were analyzed. Cox regression analysis showed that risk factors independently associated with 30-day mortality were age (HR 2.98, CI95% 1.44–6.81, p = 0.002), chronic kidney disease (HR 5.21, CI95% 1.48–22.23, p = 0.001), oncologic disease (HR 2.81, CI95% 1.45–19.8, p = 0.005), and intensive care unit admission (HR 3.71, CI95% 2.23–7.99, p < 0.001). Conversely, early effective therapy was associated with survival (HR 0.32, CI95% 0.38–0.76, p < 0.001). The administration of early effective antibiotic therapy within 48 h from blood culture collection was associated with 30-day mortality rates lower than 33%. Time from blood culture collection to appropriate therapy was an independent predictor of 30-day mortality in patients with EBSI caused by VRE. Based on these data, clinicians should start effective antibiotic therapy as soon as possible, preferably within the first 48 h from blood culture collection. Treatment strategies allowing the early delivery of in vitro active antibiotics are urgently needed, especially in critically ill patients at risk of VRE bacteremia.

EMPYEMA NECESSITANS DUE TO MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT (MDR) PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA: A CASE REPORT

EMPYEMA NECESSITANS DUE TO MULTIDRUG-RESISTANT (MDR) PSEUDOMONAS AERUGINOSA: A CASE REPORT

S3266 A Comparison of Two Cases of Acute Graft versus Host Disease Following Liver Transplant

Introduction: Acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) is a rare complication of orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) with estimated 75-85% mortality. GVHD is a common complication of an allogeneic bone-marrow transplant.Incidence of aGVHD in OLT is about 0.1% and presents with rash, fever, diarrhea, and pancytopenia. Diagnosis is difficult given the non-specific symptoms, overlapping infections,drug reactions in patients on immunosuppression. Mortality is associated with bone marrow failure. Early diagnosis and treatment are vital to survival. This report aims to juxtapose two cases of aGVHD after OLT. Chart review was conducted to obtain the history and progression of two patients with post-liver transplant GVHD. Case Description/Methods: First case is a Hispanic patient who underwent OLT for decompensated HCV cirrhosis. The patient presented 3 months postop with diffuse rash. He was admitted two weeks later with worsening rash, fever, flu-like symptoms, and diarrhea. GVHD was diagnosed by skin biopsy and treated with steroids and ruxolitinib (JAK1/2 inhibitor). The patient improved, but ultimately expired six months later due to bone marrow failure and infectious complications (invasive fungal sinusitis, VRE bacteremia, clostridium difficile infection, multifocal pneumonia). Second case is a Caucasian patient who underwent OLT for decompensated NASH cirrhosis. The patient was admitted 3 weeks postop with fever, cough, sore throat and headache. Diarrhea and rash developed shortly after and extensive infectious workup was unremarkable. aGVHD was diagnosed by skin biopsy and treated with steroids and ruxolitinib. The patient’s clinical course was complicated by pseudomonas bacteremia, abdominal surgical wound infection, ecthyma gangrenosum of his right thigh requiring surgical debridements and IV antibiotics. Despite many complications, he is living to this date (over 2.5 years from the diagnosis of GVHD) and doing well. (Figure) Discussion: Both cases of aGVHD occurred at the same center less than one month apart, but one was fatal. Both patients received MMF as part of their immunosuppression (Per studies, MMF reduces the risks of fatal GVHD). Only the second patient (who survived) received basiliximab for induction (Studies show that risks of fatal GVHD increase in association with basiliximab induction). The principal difference between the two cases is the time of symptom onset and time to treatment initiation. The patient who survived had earlier symptom onset, a rapid diagnosis, and early-onset treatment.Figure 1.: GVHD Findings.

A RARE CASE OF ACUTE LIVER FAILURE, HEPATITIS ASSOCIATED APLASTIC ANEMIA, AND HEMOPHAGOCYTIC LYMPHOHISTIOCYTOSIS

A RARE CASE OF ACUTE LIVER FAILURE, HEPATITIS ASSOCIATED APLASTIC ANEMIA, AND HEMOPHAGOCYTIC LYMPHOHISTIOCYTOSIS

Daptomycin area under the curve to minimum inhibitory concentration ratio by broth microdilution for predicting the outcome of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus bloodstream infection

ObjectivesDifferent methods are used to determine the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) for daptomycin. The threshold is unknown for the free drug area under the concentration–time curve to MIC ratio (fAUC/MIC) of daptomycin using broth microdilution (BMD) to predict outcome of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) bacteremia. The MIC testing method which is best for predicting the outcome remains unclear. MethodsThis is a retrospective cohort study. The inclusion criterion was VRE bacteremia treated with ≥ 8 mg/kg of daptomycin. As we aimed to compare different daptomycin MIC testing methods for predicting the clinical outcome of VRE bacteremia, the inclusion criteria included the availability of MIC values for BMD, Etest, and automated antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). The primary end point was 28-day mortality. The fAUC/MIC was dichotomized using classification and regression tree analysis for predicting survival. ResultsA total of 393 patients were included; 215 survived and 178 died. In the multivariable logistic model for predicting mortality, the dichotomized fAUC/MICs for Etest and AST were 0.508 and 0.065 times as probable, respectively, as that for BMD to minimize information loss. An fAUC/MIC > 75.07 for BMD significantly predicted lower mortality (adjusted odds ratio, 0.53, 95% confidence interval, 0.30–0.95; P = 0.03) after adjusting for underlying disease and bacteremia severity. Using Monte Carlo simulation, none of the doses had a probability of target attainment of ≥ 50% with an MIC of ≥ 2 mg/L. ConclusionThe dichotomized threshold for fAUC/MIC for BMD was the best predictor of mortality. An fAUC/MIC > 75.07 for BMD independently predicted better survival.

Short-course versus long-course antibiotic treatment for uncomplicated vancomycin-resistant enterococcal bacteraemia: a retrospective multicentre cohort study

ObjectivesThe optimal treatment duration for vancomycin-resistant enterococcal (VRE) bacteraemia is still a matter of debate. The aim of the present study was to compare short-course (≤9 days) and long-course (≥10 days) antibiotic treatments in hospitalized adult patients with uncomplicated VRE bacteraemia. MethodsThis retrospective study was conducted in four university hospitals in Germany. Adult patients with a positive blood culture for a VRE were screened from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2018. Only patients who received a VRE-active antibiotic for at least 48 hours were included. The exclusion criteria were a survival of <10 days and a deep-seated source of infection requiring prolonged treatment. To compare the outcome of short-course therapy with that of long-course therapy, 30-day and 90-day overall mortality, relapse within 90 days, duration of hospitalization, and potential antibiotic-related adverse events were analysed by inverse probability of treatment weighting using the propensity score and by additional covariate adjustment. ResultsOf the 363 patients screened, 219 (60.3%) patients were included in the final analysis. Among them, 48 (21.9%) patients had underlying haematological diseases. Seventy-eight (35.6%) patients received short-course treatment (median, 7 days; interquartile range, 5–8 days) and 141 (64.4%) patients received long-course treatment (median, 15 days; interquartile range, 12–23.5 days). Thirty-day mortality was similar in both groups (19.2% vs. 22.0%; adjusted OR, 1.15; p 0.773). Duration of hospitalization (in total and after onset of bacteraemia) was significantly shorter (p < 0.05) in the short-course treatment group, whereas other secondary outcome parameters did not differ between both groups. DiscussionOur study suggests that short-course treatment might not be associated with a worse outcome in patients with uncomplicated VRE bacteraemia.

Antibiotic Stewardship Related to Delayed Diagnosis and Poor Prognosis of Critically Ill Patients with Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcal Bacteremia: A Retrospective Cohort Study

PurposePatients with septicemia caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) bacteremia have higher mortality rates than patients infected by VSE. Vancomycin or teicoplanin is selected as the antibiotic stewardship intervention to cover methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections before blood culture reveals VRE bacteremia in critically ill patients with Gram-positive cocci (GPC) bacteremia; this may require linezolid or daptomycin treatment instead. We thus evaluated antibiotic stewardship practices, such as appropriate timing of antibiotic use in GPC bacteremia, and clinical outcomes of critically ill patients with VRE infection.Patients and MethodsThis retrospective study enrolled 191 critically ill patients with enterococcal bacteremia at the Taipei Tzu Chi Hospital during January 1, 2019–December 31, 2020. Demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as disease outcomes and appropriate antibiotic use after GPC bacteremia diagnosis, were compared between the VRE and VSE groups.ResultsOf 191 patients, 55 had VRE bacteremia (case group) and 136 had VSE bacteremia (control group). The rate of antibiotic change after initial antibiotic use for GPC bacteremia was higher in the VRE bacteremia group (100% vs 10.3%; p<0.001). The time to appropriate antibiotic administration after GPC bacteremia diagnosis was longer in the VRE bacteremia group (3.3±2.1 vs 1.5±1.8 days; p<0.001). Patients with VRE bacteremia had higher 28-day mortality rates (relative risk, 1.997; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.041–3.83). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that delayed appropriate antibiotic administration of >3 days after GPC bacteremia diagnosis increased the risks of 28-day all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.045; 95% CI, 1.089–3.84; p=0.026) in patients with VRE infection.ConclusionPatients with VRE bacteremia with delayed appropriate antibiotic administration of >3 days after GPC bacteremia diagnosis had increased 28-day mortality risks. New strategies for early VRE detection in GPC bacteremia may shorten the time to administer appropriate antibiotics and lower mortality rates.

Daptomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Bacteremia Is Associated With Prior Daptomycin Use and Increased Mortality After Liver Transplantation.

BackgroundRisk factors for acquisition of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) include immunosuppression, antibiotic exposure, indwelling catheters, and manipulation of the gastrointestinal tract, all of which occur in liver transplant recipients. VRE infections are documented in liver transplantation (LT); however, only one single center study has assessed the impact of daptomycin-resistant Enterococcus (DRE) in this patient population.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective multicenter cohort study comparing liver transplant recipients with either VRE or DRE bacteremia. The primary outcome was death within 1 year of transplantation. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate adjusted odds ratios for outcomes of interest.ResultsWe identified 139 cases of Enterococcus bacteremia following LT, of which 78% were VRE and 22% were DRE. When adjusted for total intensive care unit days in the first transplant year, liver-kidney transplantation, and calcineurin inhibitor use, patients with DRE bacteremia were 2.65 times more likely to die within 1 year of transplantation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.648; 95% CI, 1.025–6.840; P = .044). Prior daptomycin exposure was found to be an independent predictor of DRE bacteremia (aOR, 30.62; 95% CI, 10.087–92.955; P < .001).ConclusionsIn this multicenter study of LT recipients with Enterococcus bacteremia, DRE bacteremia was associated with higher 1-year mortality rates when compared with VRE bacteremia. Our data provide strong support for dedicated infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship efforts for transplant patients. Further research is needed to support the development of better antibiotics for DRE and practical guidance focusing on identification and prevention of colonization and subsequent infection in liver transplant recipients at high risk for DRE bacteremia.

Successful Treatment of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Bacteremia With a Combination of Daptomycin and Tigecycline in an Infant who Underwent Heart-Lung Transplantation

Successful Treatment of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Bacteremia With a Combination of Daptomycin and Tigecycline in an Infant who Underwent Heart-Lung Transplantation

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus bacteraemia in an endemic region: clinical features and genomic analysis: a 12-year cohort

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are important nosocomial pathogens with increasing prevalence worldwide. Hospitals in Jerusalem, Israel are known to have high rates of VRE carriage. However, the clonicity of this pathogen in endemic areas remains unclear. The medical files of patients with VRE bacteraemia (N=182) hospitalized in the three major hospitals in Jerusalem between 2009 and 2020 were reviewed. These were compared with 100 patients with vancomycin-susceptible enterococcus (VSE) bacteraemia during the same period, and their clinical and demographic characters were analysed. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) of the VRE isolates was performed, and the results were analysed considering the demographic, epidemiologic and clinical outcome data. Patients with VRE bacteraemia had higher rates of central line use, haematologic malignancy and immunosuppression compared with patients with VSE bacteraemia (63% vs 27%, P<0.001; 25% vs 13%, P=0.02; 24% vs 13%, P=0.04, respectively). Patients with VRE bacteraemia had significantly higher 7- and 30-day in-hospital mortality rates (31% vs 18%, P= 0.02; 57% vs 34%, P<0.001, respectively) and a longer mean hospital stay (39 vs 24 days, P=0.005) than patients with VSE bacteraemia. The WGS results of VRE isolates showed diversity rather than endemicity of a single clone. No clones were associated with specific ethnicity, geographical distribution or worse prognosis. WGS revealed the occurrence of small unrelated outbreaks rather than the expansion of large clusters in Jerusalem. VRE bacteraemia was found in sicker patients, and was associated with higher mortality and longer hospitalization compared with VSE bacteraemia.

Identification of Vancomycin Resistance Determinants in Twin Cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad

Vancomycin resistant Enterococci have emerged rapidly in the recent years leading to treatment failure. The aim of this work was to identify vancomycin resistance determinants; vanA and vanB genes in Enterococci. The blood, urine and throat samples were collected from 150 patients from local hospitals of twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad. Forty-nine phenotypically confirmed isolates were further confirmed by PCR amplification for vancomycin determinants (genes for vanA and vanB) for vancomycin resistant Enterococci. Dependence and frequency distribution of VRE and VSE bacteraemia with respect to age, gender and source was also studied. Phenotypically resistant strains were positive for vanA while negative for vanB. vancomycin susceptible enterococci (VSE) could be isolated more from urine samples as compared to blood whereas vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) was found more prevalent in the blood samples (p value= 0.000). VRE was more frequently isolated from patients aged 50 or above whereas VSE prevalence was same in both age groups (p value=0.002). Gender was not found to have any significant impact on VRE or VSE bacteraemia. This study reports vanA gene cluster responsible for resistance in Pakistani population and frequently isolation of VRE from blood samples. Keywords: Enterococcus, Vancomycin resistant Enterococci, Pakistan

MAGNITUDE OF VANCOMYCIN RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCUS FECAL COLONIZATION AND BACTEREMIA IN PATIENTS WITH HEMATOLOGICAL DISEASES AT TERTIARY BONE MARROW TRANSPLANT CENTRE RAWALPINDI

Objective: To discover the frequency of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) fecal colonization and subsequent bacteremia in patients with hematological diseases in a bone marrow transplant center.&#x0D; Study Design: Cross-sectional study.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Department of Microbiology, Armed Forces Institute of Pathology (AFIP), in collaboration with Armed Forces Bone Marrow Transplant Center, Rawalpindi, from Jan 2016 to Dec 2019.&#x0D; Methodology: Stool specimens/anal swabs from all enrolled patients were collected aseptically and transported to the laboratory without delay. Blood cultures were collected aseptically from only those enrolled patients who developed signs and symptoms of bacteremia. Stool and blood cultures were processed as per standard microbiological protocols. Enterococci were identified to species level by colony morphology and biochemical tests. Modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method and VITEK-2 system (Version-8.01 bio Merieux, France) were used to perform antimicrobial sensitivity of each isolate.&#x0D; Results: A total number of 246 patients were studied. Among them, 67 (27%) patients had fecal colonization by vancomycin resistant enterococci. We report a statistically significant association of recent hospitalization, prolonged exposure to antimicrobial therapy, chemotherapy exposure and use of indwelling devices during the hospital stay with vancomycin resistant enterococci colonization. Vancomycin resistant enterococci bacteremia was detected in 57 (23%) patients. Among these 57 patients, 53 (93%) were vancomycin resistant enterococci colonizers. Vancomycin resistant enterococci colonization was significantly associated with vancomycin resistant enterococci bacteremia.&#x0D; Conclusion: A considerable burden of vancomycin resistant enterococci fecal colonization exists among patients with hematological diseases. vancomycin resistant enterococci colonization poses a considerable risk of vancomycin........

Increasing Trend of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci Bacteremia in a Tertiary Care Hospital of South India: A Three-year Prospective Study.

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are emerging as an important multidrug-resistant pathogen causing nosocomial infections, predominantly bacteremia and urinary tract infections. VRE bacteremia has caused a significant increase in the duration of the hospital stay and mortality and had caused high public health threat due to limited treatment options.Materials and methods: Between October 2017 and September 2020, all consecutive patients with culture-proven bloodstream infection with Enterococcus species, isolated for the first time, were included in the study. A total of 427 Enterococcus species were identified, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed and interpreted using Clinical and Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines.Results: Of the total 427 Enterococcus species isolated, 63 (45.6%) were VRE. Among them, 51/63 (81%) were Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) and 5/63 (8%) were Enterococcus faecalis. There was an increased trend of VRE rate in the bloodstream infections of 6.12% (2018), 13.2% (2019), and 19.2% (2020). The majority of the VRE patients [43/63 (68%)] were admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs). Vancomycin A (VanA) is the most common phenotype isolated from 51/63(81%) patients.Conclusion: This increasing trend of VRE bacteremia is a red alert to the clinicians and the infection control practitioners, so that strict antibiotic policies and proper adherence to the infection control practices can be initiated to reduce the VRE rate.How to cite this article: Sivaradjy M, Gunalan A, Priyadarshi K, Madigubba H, Rajshekar D, Sastry AS. Increasing Trend of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci Bacteremia in a Tertiary Care Hospital of South India: A Three-year Prospective Study. Indian J Crit Care Med 2021;25(8):881–885.

Laboratory-identified vancomycin-resistant enterococci bacteremia incidence: A standardized infection ratio prediction model.

We analyzed 2017 healthcare facility-onset (HO) vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) bacteremia data to identify hospital-level factors that were significant predictors of HO-VRE using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) multidrug-resistant organism and Clostridioides difficile reporting module. A risk-adjusted model that can be used to calculate the number of predicted HO-VRE bacteremia events in a facility was developed, thus enabling the calculation of VRE standardized infection ratios (SIRs). Acute-care hospitals reporting at least 1 month of 2017 VRE bacteremia data were included in the analysis. Various hospital-level characteristics were assessed to develop a best-fit model and subsequently derive the 2018 national and state SIRs. In 2017, 470 facilities in 35 states participated in VRE bacteremia surveillance. Inpatient VRE community-onset prevalence rate, average length of patient stay, outpatient VRE community-onset prevalence rate, and presence of an oncology unit were all significantly associated (all 95% likelihood ratio confidence limits excluded the nominal value of zero) with HO-VRE bacteremia. The 2018 national SIR was 1.01 (95% CI, 0.93-1.09) with 577 HO bacteremia events reported. The creation of an SIR enables national-, state-, and facility-level monitoring of VRE bacteremia while controlling for individual hospital-level factors. Hospitals can compare their VRE burden to a national benchmark to help them determine the effectiveness of infection prevention efforts over time.

The impact of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) screening policy change on the incidence of healthcare-associated VRE bacteremia.

To evaluate the impact of a vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) screening policy change on the incidence of healthcare-associated (HA)-VRE bacteremia in an endemic hospital setting. A quasi-experimental before-and-after study. A 1,989-bed tertiary-care referral center in Seoul, Republic of Korea. Since May 2010, our hospital has diminished VRE screening for admitted patients transferred from other healthcare facilities. We assessed the impact of this policy change on the incidence of HA-VRE bacteremia using segmented autoregression analysis of interrupted time series from January 2006 to December 2014 at the hospital and unit levels. In addition, we compared the molecular characteristics of VRE blood isolates collected before and after the screening policy change using multilocus sequence typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. After the VRE screening policy change, the incidence of hospital-wide HA-VRE bacteremia increased, although no significant changes of level or slope were observed. In addition, a significant slope change in the incidence of HA-VRE bacteremia (change in slope, 0.007; 95% CI, 0.001-0.013; P = .02) was observed in the hemato-oncology department. Molecular analysis revealed that various VRE sequence types appeared after the policy change and that clonally related strains became more predominant (increasing from 26.1% to 59.3%). The incidence of HA-VRE bacteremia increased significantly after VRE screening policy change, and this increase was mainly driven by high-risk patient populations. When planning VRE control programs in hospitals, different approaches that consider risk for severe VRE infection in patients may be required.