Prevalence and Risk Factors for Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci Isolated from Clinical Samples in Kashmir, North India: A Hospital Based Study

Aims: To find out the prevalence and risk factors for vancomycin resistant Enterococci in a leading tertiary care center of north India.

Design: Cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Sher-I-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar. Kashmir. One year study.

Methodology: A total of 400 isolates of Enterococci from patients admitted to our hospital were recovered using standard microbiological procedures, during a period of one year. Antimicrobial susceptibility of these isolates to various antibiotics was performed according to Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute (CLSI) guidelines. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of isolates found to be resistant to vancomycin on disc diffusion was done by microbroth dilution method. Various risk factors like placement of IV line catheter, urinary catheter, hospital stay and prior use of antimicrobial agents was noted for all the patients.

Results: A total of 25 (6.3%) isolates of Enterococci were found to be vancomycin resistant, most of them recovered from the blood samples. E. faecium 16 (64%) was the predominant VRE isolated followed by E. faecalis 9 (36%). Factors like stay in an ICU, prior use of antimicrobials, placement of IV line and urinary catheter were associated with vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) acquisition.

Conclusion: VRE were recovered from our hospital and strict adherence to infection control guidelines needs to be followed to control their dissemination.