Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci Screening Research Articles

P3.27: Gastric Acid Suppression May Lead to an Increased Risk of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Colonization

Introduction: Gastric acid suppression therapy has been reported to change the gastrointestinal microbiome, resulting in increased gastrointestinal infections. This may be of increased importance in intestinal transplantation subjects as immunosuppressive agents are associated with peptic ulcers, leading to increased gastric acid suppression therapy. Also, immunosuppressive therapy leads to a higher risk of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) colonization. However, the effect of gastric acid suppression therapy on vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) colonization has not been investigated. Methods: Subjects who had surveillance rectal swabs for VRE at a university hospital were investigated. Surveillance was performed on subjects with prior hospitalization within 3months, history of VRE colonization/infection, or positive VRE findings from an adjacent patient. Gastric acid suppression therapy was defined as use of proton pump inhibitor or histamine-receptor-2 antagonists. Results: Of 886 subjects who underwent VRE screening, 452 were included with 69 VRE positive and 383 VRE negative subjects. In univariable analysis, gastric acid suppression therapy, antibiotics use, male gender and prior hospitalization were significant risk factors for VRE colonization. Multivariable analysis showed that gastric acid suppression therapy (OR 2.873, 95% CI 1.473–5.605, P=0.002) and antibiotics use (OR 3.896, 95% CI 2.019–7.520, P<0.001) significantly increased VRE risk. Of antibiotics, carbapenems (OR 3.836, 95% CI 1.603–9.182, P=0.003) glycopeptides (OR 2.784, 95% CI 1.155–6.712, P=0.023), and cephalosporins (OR 2.210, 95% CI 1.213–4.025, P=0.010) were most significantly associated with VRE colonization. The unfavorable effect of gastric acid suppression therapy on VRE colonization was consistent, regardless of antibiotics type. Conclusion: Gastric acid suppression therapy significantly increased VRE colonization risk. Gastric acid suppression should be administered according to strict guidelines. Physicians should be made aware of the increased VRE risk, and should consider VRE surveillance in those under long-term gastric suppression therapy.

Appearance of vanD-positive Enterococcus faecium in a tertiary hospital in the Netherlands: prevalence of vanC and vanD in hospitalized patients

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) can rapidly spread through hospitals. Therefore, our hospital employs a screening program whereby rectal swabs are screened for the presence of vanA and vanB, and only PCR-positive broths are cultured on VRE selection agar. Early November 2016, a clinical vanA-/vanB-negative VRE isolate was detected in a vanA/vanB-screening-negative patient, giving the possibility that an undetected VRE might be spreading within our hospital. Whole-genome-sequencing of the isolate showed that resistance was vanD-mediated and core genome multilocus sequence typing showed it was a rare type: ST17/CT154. To determine the prevalence of vanA/B/C/D-carrying enterococci, we designed a real-time PCR for vanC1/2/3 and vanD and screened rectal swabs from 360 patients. vanD was found in 27.8% of the patients, yet culture demonstrated only E. faecium from vanA-positive broths and E. gallinarum from vanC1-positive broths. No vanD-positive VRE were found, limiting the possibility of nosocomial spread of this VRE. Moreover, the high prevalence of non-VRE vanD in rectal swabs makes it unfeasible to include the vanD PCR in our VRE screening. However, having validated the vanC1/2/3 and vanD PCRs allows us to rapidly check future vanA/B-negative VRE for the presence of vanC and vanD genes.

Study on vancomycin-resistant enterococci in faecal samples from non-hospitalized individuals at MMIMSR, Haryana, India

Background: Enterococci, formerly classified with fecal streptococci, have been recognized to be of fecal origin since the beginning of this century.&#x0D; Method: This study was undertaken to determine the prevalence of stool colonization with vancomycin resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and also to evaluate the risk factors for colonization with vancomycin resistant Enterococcus among non- Hospitalized individuals at MMIMSR, Mullana.Test was performed for VRE isolates collected over a period of 6 months (Oct2015- March 2016). Faecal samples were collected by using sterile container from non- hospitalized individuals then to Cultures using Mac Conkey and Blood agar. After presumptive diagnosis as an enterococcus spp, 50 Enterococcal isolates were then again cultured on special VRE screen agar media to identify vancomycin resistant Enterococcus.&#x0D; Result: The results were further supported by modified Kirby-bauer disk diffusion method with vancomycin (30μg) as per CLSI guideline. A total of 29 (58%) Enterococcus faecalis and 21 (42%) Enterococcus faecium were detected among the faecal isolates and 2 (4%) were VRE. According to CLSI guideline isolates showing diameter of zone of inhibition ≤16mm were considered among the VRE. Chronic diseases, previous hospital stay (more than 15 days) and repeatedly antibiotic consumption was found to be significant risk factor for non-hospitalized individuals.&#x0D; Conclusion: There is need for programs to promote greater attention about antibiotics usage in the general population. Education of Health care workers with implementation and observation of hand-washing practices constitutes a very effective step in preventing the spread Prolonged use of vancomycin drug should not be recommended by the physician.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Medical Science Vol.18(2) 2019 p.334-339

Using vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) rectal swab screening to predict vancomycin resistance in subsequent Enterococcus faecium bacteraemia in high-risk patients

In high-risk patients, colonisation with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) can lead to invasive infections. A retrospective cohort study was done from 2009–2017 at Singapore General Hospital to study the utility of rectal swab screening in predicting vancomycin resistance in subsequent Enterococcus faecium bacteraemia. Prior VRE screening results were available for 274 episodes of E. faecium bacteraemia. 74 (27.0%) screen tests were VRE-positive. 121 (44.2%) bacteraemia episodes were vancomycin-resistant. The specificity of VRE screening in predicting vancomycin resistance of subsequent E. faecium bacteraemia was high (88.9%), regardless of time from screening to bacteraemia, or agar-based screening protocol used. Negative predictive value was highest (92.3%) when screening was done within 48 h of bacteraemia. Sensitivity (47.1%) and positive predictive value (77.0%) were low. In our institution, VRE prevalence is 4.71% among the targeted surveillance group. Patients with VRE bacteraemia received appropriate antibiotics 1 day later than with vancomycin-susceptible enterococcus (VSE) bacteraemia, and had longer hospital stays (48.8 days vs 39.6 days) and higher 30-day mortality (56.2% vs 42.2%). In our hospital, it may be reasonable to withhold empiric anti-VRE antibiotics when the most recent VRE screen is negative. Empiric VRE-active coverage should be considered if a patient was screen-positive within 48 h of bacteraemia onset.

Emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in Switzerland: a nation-wide survey

This nation-wide survey on the epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) included 142 healthcare institutions and showed an increasing number of VRE colonizations and infections in Switzerland, probably for the most part due to nosocomial dissemination. The introduction and spread of a new clone, gaps in VRE screening policies as well as heterogeneity regarding the management of VRE clusters may be possible explanations.

Characterization of Clinical Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Isolated in Eastern Hungary.

The aim of our study was to characterize and elicit the genetic relatedness of emerging vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) isolated between 2012 and 2015 at a teaching hospital in Debrecen, Hungary. Altogether 43 nonduplicate vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) clinical isolates were obtained. Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry was used for species identification. Isolates showed 100% resistance to ampicillin and ciprofloxacin while 81.4% were resistant to gentamicin. PCR analysis revealed the presence of VanB in 40 and VanA in 3 isolates. Among ace, agg, and esp virulence genes only esp was found in seven cases. Modified microtiter-plate test showed 13 weak and 4 moderate biofilm producer isolates. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis revealed nine pulsotypes. According to multilocus sequence typing all of the tested isolates belonged to clonal complex 17 (CC17). We report on the alarming emergence of multidrug-resistant VREfm belonging to CC17 at a tertiary hospital in Eastern Hungary. This is the first report of sequence types 412 and 364 from this region. Although outbreak did not occur the increasing prevalence of VREfm is of concern and dissemination must be prevented with proper infection control measures and regular VRE screening.

Prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms in Canadian Hospitals. Comparison of point-prevalence survey results from 2010, 2012, and 2016.

Point-prevalence surveys for infection or colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CREs), and for Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) were conducted in Canadian hospitals in 2010 and 2012 to better understanding changes in the epidemiology of antimicrobial-resistant organisms (AROs), which is crucial for public health and care management. A third survey of the same AROs in adult inpatients in Canadian hospitals with ≥50 beds was performed in February 2016. Data on participating hospitals and patient cases were obtained using standard criteria and case definitions. Associations between ARO prevalence and institutional characteristics were assessed using logistic regression models. In total, 160 hospitals from 9 of the 10 provinces with 35,018 adult inpatients participated in the survey. Median prevalence per 100 inpatients was 4.1 for MRSA, 0.8 for VRE, 1.1 for CDI, 0.8 for ESBLs, and 0 for CREs. No significant change occurred compared to 2012. CREs were reported from 24 hospitals (15%) in 2016 compared to 10 hospitals (7%) in 2012. Routine universal or targeted admission screening for VRE decreased from 94% in 2010 to 74% in 2016. Targeted screening for MRSA on admission was associated with a lower prevalence of MRSA infection. Large hospitals (&gt;500 beds) had higher prevalences of CDI. This survey provides national prevalence rates for AROs in Canadian hospitals. Changes in infection control and prevention policies might lead to changes in the epidemiology of AROs and our capacity to detect them.

Gastric Acid Suppression May Lead to an Increased Risk of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Colonization: Presidential Poster Award

Introduction: Gastric acid suppression therapy has been reported to change the gastrointestinal microbiome, resulting in increased gastrointestinal infections. However, the effect of gastric acid suppression therapy on vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) colonization has not been investigated. Methods: Subjects who had surveillance rectal swabs for VRE at a university hospital were investigated. Surveillance was performed on subjects with prior hospitalization within 3months, history of VRE colonization/infection, or positive VRE findings from an adjacent patient. Gastric acid suppression therapy was defined as use of proton pump inhibitor or histamine-receptor-2 antagonists. Results: Of 886 subjects who underwent VRE screening, 452 were included with 69 VRE positive and 383 VRE negative subjects. In univariable analysis, gastric acid suppression therapy, antibiotics use, male gender and prior hospitalization were significant risk factors for VRE colonization. Multivariable analysis showed that gastric acid suppression therapy (OR 2.873, 95% CI 1.473-5.605, P=0.002) and antibiotics use (OR 3.896, 95% CI 2.019-7.520, P<0.001) significantly increased VRE risk. Of antibiotics, carbapenems (OR 3.836, 95% CI 1.603-9.182, P=0.003) glycopeptides (OR 2.784, 95% CI 1.155-6.712, P=0.023), and cephalosporins (OR 2.210, 95% CI 1.213-4.025, P=0.010) were most significantly associated with VRE colonization. The unfavorable effect of gastric acid suppression therapy on VRE colonization was consistent, regardless of antibiotics type. Conclusion: Gastric acid suppression therapy significantly increased VRE colonization risk. Gastric acid suppression should be administered according to strict guidelines. Physicians should be made aware of the increased VRE risk, and should consider VRE surveillance in those under long-term gastric suppression therapy.1112_A Figure 1. Characteristics of the study subjects1112_B Figure 2. Antibiotics use in the study subjects1112_C Figure 3. Multivariable analysis of VRE risk factors

Effectiveness of ultraviolet disinfection in reducing hospital-acquired Clostridium difficile and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus on a bone marrow transplant unit.

To determine the effectiveness of ultraviolet (UV) environmental disinfection system on rates of hospital-acquired vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) and Clostridium difficile. Using active surveillance and an interrupted time-series design, hospital-acquired acquisition of VRE and C. difficile on a bone marrow transplant (BMT) unit were examined before and after implementation of terminal disinfection with UV on all rooms regardless of isolation status of patients. The main outcomes were hospital-based acquisition measured through (1) active surveillance: admission, weekly, and discharge screening for VRE and toxigenic C. difficile (TCD) and (2) clinical surveillance: incidence of VRE and CDI on the unit. Bone marrow transplant unit at a tertiary-care cancer center.ParticipantsStem cell transplant (SCT) recipients.InterventionTerminal disinfection of all rooms with UV regardless of isolation status of patients. During the 20-month study period, 579 patients had 704 admissions to the BMT unit, and 2,160 surveillance tests were performed. No change in level or trend in the incidence of VRE (trend incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.81-1.14; level IRR, 1.34; 95% CI, 0.37-1.18) or C. difficile (trend IRR, 1.08; 95% CI, 0.89-1.31; level IRR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.13-2.11) was observed after the intervention. Utilization of UV disinfection to supplement routine terminal cleaning of rooms was not effective in reducing hospital-acquired VRE and C. difficile among SCT recipients.

Gut colonization with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and risk for subsequent enteric infection

BackgroundGut colonization with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is associated with poor outcomes. This study evaluated the impact of VRE colonization on subsequent acquisition of enteric pathogens.MethodsWe performed a retrospective cohort study of adults admitted to an ICU from 2012 to 2017 who were screened for VRE colonization and subsequently underwent stool testing with a gastrointestinal pathogen PCR panel (GI PCR) with or without PCR testing for Clostridium difficile. Our primary outcome was the presence of any enteric pathogen. Cox proportional hazards modeling was used to adjust for factors associated with enteric infection.ResultsOf 761 patients who underwent VRE screening and subsequent GI PCR, 131 (17%) were colonized with VRE. Patients with VRE colonization were less likely to test positive on GI PCR compared to patients without VRE (9.2% vs 18%, p = 0.01); specifically for E. coli species (p = 0.03) and viral (p = 0.04) enteric infections. In 716 patients who underwent C. difficile testing, there was a trend towards more C. difficile infections in patients colonized with VRE (15% vs 10%, p = 0.11). On multivariable analysis, patients with VRE had a decreased risk of a positive GI PCR (aHR 0.47, 95% CI 0.25–0.88, p = 0.02) but not C. difficile infection, effects which persisted during 5 years of follow-up. Among positive tests, there was a greater proportion of C. difficile with VRE (57% vs 28%, p < 0.01).ConclusionsVRE colonization was associated with a decreased risk of subsequent non-C. difficile enteric infection. VRE domination of the gut microbiome may protect against acquisition of common enteric pathogens.

Unintended Consequences of Pretransplant Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Screening on Antimicrobial Stewardship Among Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplant Recipients.

We examined vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)-directed antimicrobial use and VRE bacteremia in a cohort of allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation patients from a center where VRE screening is standard prior to transplant. In this cohort, VRE bacteremia (VREB) was infrequent. In patients without VREB, colonized patients received VRE therapy more often than noncolonized patients.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:730-733.

VRE screening in a low incidence population: An analysis of cost effectiveness

Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) colonisation is common in Australian hospitals. This study aimed to review the cost effectiveness of the VRE screening protocol at a regional tertiary hospital. Data from one year of VRE screening was analysed. Of the 4498 tests performed, inter-hospital transfer (IHT; n=1542) was the most common indication. IHT and initial screen on admission to ICU were associated with a low probability of isolating VRE compared to the referent indication (previous VRE). The odds ratio (OR) for isolating VRE following IHT from a tertiary hospital was 2.23 (n=11/442; 95% CI 0.9–5.8) compared to an IHT from a hospital within the health district (n=12/1063). The adjusted OR, when accounting for time spent at the referral hospital (≤ or >48 hours), was 1.2 (95% CI 0.5–2.9). However, the crude and adjusted odds ratio for patient admissions >48 hours at any IHT hospital [7.0 (95% CI 2.8–19.5) and 6.6 (95% CI 2.6–19.2), respectively] suggest that ceasing VRE screening of patients transferred after spending less than 48 hours at a referring facility would have the least impact on program efficacy. Accounting for a cost of $19.85 per swab, this would have a projected cost saving of $21,041 per year.

Detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci using chromogenic selective medium

Objective. To detect vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) using chromogenic selective medium CHROMagar™VRE (CHROMagar, France). Materials and Methods. In the first part of the study, a total of 39 vancomycin-resistant and 20 vancomycinsusceptible Enterococcus spp. isolated from blood culture with known susceptibility profiles were incubated on the CHROMagar™VRE (CHROMagar, France) and examined after 24 h and 48 h of incubation. In the second part of the study, a total of 110 rectal swabs were taken from patients with hematological malignancies and incubated on the CHROMagar™VRE. The vancomycin susceptibility of isolates grown on the selective medium was further evaluated by the broth microdilution method (CLSI, 2017). Glycopeptide resistance genes were detected by PCR. Results. Using the CHROMagar™VRE, a total of 36 (92.3%) vancomycin-resistant isolates were detected after 24 h and additional two isolates – after 48 h of incubation. The sensitivity of the selective medium for detection of VRE obtained from blood culture was 92% and 97% after 24 h and 48 h of incubation, respectively. All 20 vancomycin-susceptible enterococci did not grow on the CHROMagar™VRE (specificity – 100%). Of 110 rectal swabs, 35 (31.8%) samples were positive for Enterococcus spp. on the CHROMagar™VRE (33 – E. faecium и 2 – E. faecalis). Resistance to vancomycin was detected in 32⁄33 (97%) E. faecium isolates, of them 28 and 4 strains were isolated after 24 h and 48 h of incubation; all VRE strains carried vanA gene. The proportion of false positive isolates was 3.4% after 24 h of incubation and 8.6% after 48 h of incubation on the CHROMagar™VRE medium for screening of VRE from rectal swabs. Conclusions. The chromogenic selective media CHROMagar™VRE has a high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of VRE and can be used for screening in laboratory practice.

Two-tier approach combining molecular and culture-based techniques for optimized detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Given constantly high or even rising incidences of both colonization and infection with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), timely and accurate identification of carriers in high-risk patient populations is of evident clinical importance. In this study, a two-tier approach consisting of PCR-based screening and cultural confirmation of positive results is compared to the conventional approach solely based on culture on selective media. The 2-tier strategy was highly consistent with the conventional approach, and was found to possess high sensitivity and specificity (93.1% and 100%, respectively). The introduction of the PCR-based combined VRE screening approach significantly (P<0.0001) reduced median overall time to result by 44.3hours. The effect was found to be most pronounced in VRE negative samples. Positive vanA PCR was highly consistent with culture (PPV: 92.0%, 95% CI: 72.5–98.6%, NPV: 99.6%, 95% CI: 98.9–99.6%), thus allowing for preliminary reporting of VRE detection. In contrast, a vanB positive PCR does not allow for preliminary reporting (PPV: 58.5%, 95% CI: 44.2–71.6%, NPV: 99.8%, 95% CI: 99.2–100%). The introduction of a molecular assay for rapid detection of VRE from rectal swabs combined with cultural confirmation proved to be reliable and time saving, especially in a setting of low VRE prevalence and predominance of vanA positive strains.

Predictive utility of swab screening for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus in selection of empiric antibiotics for Enterococcus sterile-site infections: a retrospective cohort study.

Swab screening for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is used to identify VRE carriers and thus prevent transmission of this organism. We tested whether screening results could have unintended benefits in predicting the vancomycin susceptibility of subsequent Enterococcus infections experienced by these patients. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all patients admitted to a large tertiary care hospital between 2010 and 2015 who underwent swab screening for VRE before experiencing an Enterococcus sterile-site infection. We derived test characteristics using the screening result as the test variable predicting the presence or absence of vancomycin resistance in the sterile-site Enterococcus species. Culture results for sterile-site samples were positive for Enterococcus for 619 patients during the study period. Of these, 488 (79%) had previously undergone VRE screening. A total of 19 (4%) of the 488 screening results were positive for VRE, and 10 (2%) of the sterile-site Enterococcus isolates were resistant to vancomycin. The overall specificity of VRE swabs was 97% (95% confidence interval [CI] 96%-99%), sensitivity was 70% (95% CI 35%-93%), the positive likelihood ratio was 28 (95% CI 14-56), and the negative likelihood ratio was 0.31 (95% CI 0.12-0.79). The post-test probability of vancomycin resistance in a sterile-site culture, given a positive result with VRE screening swab, was 37% using study data and 83% using published aggregate prevalence data for VRE in the United States. Prior VRE screening swab results represent a useful tool for predicting vancomycin resistance in sterile-site Enterococcus infections. Patients with a positive result for VRE screening swab and Enterococcus identified by culture of sterile-site samples should receive empiric treatment with linezolid or daptomycin until sensitivity results are available.

Detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in stool specimens submitted for Clostridium difficile toxin testing.

The aim of this study was to determine the association between Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) and efficacy of screening stools submitted for C. difficile toxin assay for prevalence of VRE. Between April 2012 and February 2014, 158 stool samples submitted for C. difficile toxin to the Marmara University Microbiology Laboratory, were included in the study. Stool samples were analyzed by enzyme immuno assay test; VIDAS (bioMerieux, France) for Toxin A&B. Samples were inoculated on chromID VRE (bioMerieux, France) and incubated 24 h at 37 °C. Manuel tests and API20 STREP (bioMerieux, France) test were used to identify the Enterococci species. After the species identification, vancomycin and teicoplanin MIC's were performed by E test and molecular resistance genes for vanA vs vanB were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Of the 158 stool samples, 88 were toxin positive. The prevalence of VRE was 17%(n:19) in toxin positives however, 11.4% in toxin negatives(n:70). All VRE isolates were identified as Enterococcus faecium. These results were evaluated according to Fischer's exact chi-square test and p value between VRE colonization and C. difficile toxin positivity was detected 0.047 (p < 0.05). PPV and NPV were 79% and 47% respectively. In our study, the presence of VRE in C. difficile toxin positives is statistically significant compared with toxin negatives (p < 0.05). Screening for VRE is both additional cost and work load for the laboratories. Therefore VRE screening among C. difficile toxin positive samples, will be cost effective for determination of high risk patients in the hospitals especially for developing countries.

Screening for vancomycin-resistant enterococci with Xpert® vanA/vanB: diagnostic accuracy and impact on infection control decision making.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are increasingly important nosocomial pathogens and screening for colonization status is a mainstay in infection control. We implemented PCR-based screening during vanA-positive Enterococcus faecium outbreaks in four university hospitals in Copenhagen, Denmark. Xpert®vanA/vanB was performed directly on rectal swabs and the vanA PCR result was used to guide infection control measures. Concurrently, all samples were selectively cultured including an overnight enrichment step. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated as well as turnaround time and the impact of the earlier available PCR results on infection control decision making. In all, 1110 samples were analysed. The vanA PCR positivity rate was 13.8% and culture positivity rate was 15.2%. The diagnostic accuracy of the vanA part of the assay was high with a sensitivity of 87.1%, a specificity of 99.7%, and positive and negative predictive values of 98.0% and 97.7%, respectively. The vanB PCR had a considerably lower specificity of 77.6% and a positive predictive value of 0.4%. In 1067 (96.1%) samples, PCR results were reported within 1 day, whereas median culture turnaround time was 3 days. The saving of time to available results corresponded to 141 saved isolation days and 292 saved transmission risk days. False-negative or false-positive PCR results led to six additional transmission risk days and 13 additional isolation days, respectively.The vanA PCR had high diagnostic accuracy and the prompt availability of results gave a considerable benefit for infection control decision making.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus colonization and bloodstream infection: prevalence, risk factors, and the impact on early outcomes after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Screening for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is performed at many transplant centers, but data on the impact of VRE colonization and bloodstream infection (BSI) on hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) outcomes remain conflicting. Consecutive adults with acute myeloid leukemia who underwent allogeneic HCT between 2004 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were screened by perirectal PCR swabs targeting vanA and vanB twice weekly while inpatient. Of a total of 203 patients (median age 54years), 73 (36%) were VRE colonized prior to HCT, 23 (11%) became colonized within the first 100days, and 107 (53%) remained non-colonized through day 100 post HCT. A landmark analysis on HCT day 0 revealed no significant difference in overall survival according to pre-transplant colonization status (P=.20). However, patients with subsequent VRE colonization within the first 100days of HCT had a significantly worse survival on both univariable (P=.04) and multivariable (P=.03) analyses. During the first 30days post HCT, 11 (5% of total and 11% of the VRE colonized) patients developed VRE BSI. Ten (91%) of these had screened positive for VRE colonization before the bacteremia. Age ≥60years, HCT-comorbidity index ≥3, and VRE colonization were independent risk factors for VRE BSI on multivariable analysis (P=.04, .03, .003, respectively). Only 1 (9%) patient with VRE BSI died within the first 100days post HCT. VRE colonization is a surrogate marker and not an independent predictor of worse outcomes post HCT. VRE BSI is associated with increased morbidity, but does not impact post-HCT survival.

Longitudinal Multicenter Analysis of Outcomes After Cessation of Control Measures for Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci.

OBJECTIVE To assess clinically relevant outcomes after complete cessation of control measures for vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). DESIGN Quasi-experimental ecological study over 3.5 years. METHODS All VRE screening and isolation practices at 4 large academic hospitals in Ontario, Canada, were stopped on July 1, 2012. In total, 618 anonymized abstracted charts of patients with VRE-positive clinical isolates identified between July 1, 2010, and December 31, 2013, were reviewed to determine whether the case was a true VRE infection, a VRE colonization or contaminant, or a true VRE bacteremia. All deaths within 30 days of the last VRE infection were also reviewed to determine whether the death was fully or partially attributable to VRE. All-cause mortality was evaluated over the study period. Generalized estimating equation methods were used to cluster outcome rates within hospitals, and negative binomial models were created for each outcome. RESULTS The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for VRE infections was 0.59 and the associated P value was .34. For VRE bacteremias, the IRR was 0.54 and P=.38; for all-cause mortality the IRR was 0.70 and P=.66; and for VRE attributable death, the IRR was 0.35 and P=.49. VRE control measures were not significantly associated with any of the outcomes. Rates of all outcomes appeared to increase during the 18-month period after cessation of VRE control measures, but none reached statistical significance. CONCLUSION Clinically significant VRE outcomes remain rare. Cessation of all control measures for VRE had no significant attributable adverse clinical impact. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1-7.

Is it worth screening for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium colonization?: Financial burden of screening in a developing country

The screening of critically ill patients at high risk of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) colonization, to detect and isolate colonized patients, is recommended to prevent and control the transmission of VRE. Screening asymptomatic carriers brings financial burden for institutions. In this study, we performed risk analysis for VRE colonization and determined the financial burden of screening in a middle-income country, Turkey. We retrospectively analyzed the VRE surveillance data from a pediatric hospital between 2010 and 2014. A case-control study was conducted to identify the risk factors of colonization. Total cost of VRE screening and additional costs for a VRE colonized patient (including active surveillance cultures and contact isolation) were calculated. During the 4-year period, 6,372 patients were screened for perirectal VRE colonization. The rate of culture-positive specimens among all patients screened was 239 (3.75%). The rate of VRE infection was 0.04% (n = 3) among all patients screened. Length of hospital stay, malignancy, and being transferred from another institution were independently associated risk factors for colonization. Annual estimated costs for the laboratory were projected as $19,074 (76,295/4) for all patients screened. Cost of contact isolation for each patient colonized in a ward and an intensive care unit was $270 and $718, respectively. In developing countries, institutions should identify their own high-risk patients; screening priorities should be based on prevalence of infection and hospital financial resources.