Colonization and microbiology of the motile enterococci in a patient population.
The motile enterococci with the vanC gene have intrinsic low-level resistance to vancomycin, but have not been implicated in a nosocomial outbreak. We determined the colonization rate of motile enterococci in hospitalized and nonhospitalized patients. Perianal or stool specimens were cultured in Enterococcosel broth supplemented with 6 micrograms of vancomycin per mL. Rapid motility and pigment tests were performed on all enterococci isolated. A total of 82 motile and/or pigmented enterococci were isolated from 679 patients for a colonization rate of 12.1%. There were 43 Enterococcus gallinarum, 32 Enterococcus casseliflavus, 4 Enterococcus flavescens, and 3 Enterococcus mundtii identified. The E. gallinarum vancomycin MIC90 was 32 micrograms/mL and the E. casseliflavus vancomycin MIC90 was 8 micrograms/mL.
Van Horn
K G
KG
Westchester County Medical Center, Valhalla, New York 10595, USA.
Rodney
K M
KM
D001003:Anal Canal / Q000382:microbiology*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D009068:Movement; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000494:pharmacology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin