Vancomycin Resistance in Enterococcus faecium Strains Isolated at a University Hospital

  • Armindo José Perozo Mena School of Bioanalysis. Faculty of Medicine. University of Zulia. Bacteriological Reference Center. Autonomous service University Hospital of Maracaibo.
  • Maribel Josefina Castellano González Chair of General Bacteriology. School of Bioanalysis. School of Medicine. University of Zulia.
  • Messaria María Ginestre Pérez Chair of General Bacteriology. School of Bioanalysis. School of Medicine. University of Zulia.
  • Gresleida Coromoto Rincón Villalobos Chair of Clinical Bacteriology. School of Bioanalysis. School of Medicine. University of Zulia.
Keywords: Enterococcus faecium, vancomycin, resistance, vanA

Abstract

Genus Enterococcus species are gram positive cocci, usually inhabitants of human and animal intestinal tracts, but can also be isolated from their environmental sources. They are able to survive a wide range of adverse environmental stress conditions, allowing them to colonize a wide range of niches, including hospital environments. Nosocomial pathogenicity of enterococci has emerged in recent years, as well as their increased resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics. This study attempts to determine the resistance to vancomycin of Enterococcus faecium strains isolated in a university hospital during the January-December period of 2009, as well as to characterize the genetic determinant responsible for its resistance. Methods to determine susceptibility to glycopeptides described by CLSI were used; additionally, the genetic elements responsible for resistance were identified using the polymerase chain reaction. Of the E. faecium strains studied, 48.81% were resistant to vancomycin, and PCR showed presence of the vanA gene that confers high levels of resistance to glycopeptides. Due to the large number of isolates resistant to vancomycin, the presence of a nosocomial outbreak produced by this microorganism was suspected; this epidemic strain possessing a vanA gene is possibly scattered in different services of the institution; therefore, epidemiological studies should be performed to determine the role this microorganism plays in the production of nosocomial infections in the institution under study.

Published
2011-08-07
How to Cite
1.
Perozo Mena AJ, Castellano González MJ, Ginestre Pérez MM, Rincón Villalobos GC. Vancomycin Resistance in Enterococcus faecium Strains Isolated at a University Hospital. Kasmera [Internet]. 2011Aug.7 [cited 2025Jan.1];39(1):7-17. Available from: https://produccioncientificaluz.org/index.php/kasmera/article/view/4869
Issue
Vol. 39 No. 1 (2011)
Section
Original Articles

Copyright (c) 2011 Armindo José Perozo Mena, Maribel Josefina Castellano González, Messaria María Ginestre Pérez, Gresleida Coromoto Rincón Villalobos

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