Emergency of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus infections in a teaching hospital in Chile Emergencia de infecciones por Enterococcus sp resistente a vancomicina en un hospital universitario en Chile

Abstract

An active surveillance of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) intestinal colonization in selected group of patients has been developed in Chile since year 2000. Nevertheless, no reports of clinical cases have been published. Aim. To describe main clinical and microbiological features of patients infected by VRE in a tertiary-level teaching Hospital. Patients and methods. Intestinal and clinical samples positive to VRE were provided by laboratory, and a retrospective analysis of potential risk factors, clinical features, treatment and outcomes was performed. Study encompassed years 2001 to 2006. Main results. 23 cases of infections were identified, all cases occurring during 2005 and 2006. Incidence rate was 0.07 and 0.09 cases per 1000 occupied bed-days, respectively. The mean age was 62.0 ± 17 years. A significant proportion of patients had cancer (39.1%), recent surgical procedures (54.1%), were on dialysis (26.1%), or were using steroids (26.1%). Most patients had received 2 or m