Isolation of beta-lactamase positive vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis; first case in Australia.
An increasing number of clinical isolates of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) have been reported in the literature since 1988. Only a few cases of beta-lactamase producing VRE have been described worldwide. This article reports the first case of beta-lactamase positive VRE in Australia. This strain of Enterococcus faecalis was isolated from a patient with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma who subsequently underwent a bone marrow transplant. Screening of all ward contacts did not detect any further case of beta-lactamase producing VRE. With the development of multiple antibiotic resistance in enterococci, additional infection surveillance protocols have been implemented in the hospital. These include routine screening of 'at risk' patients, instigating relevant infection control measures for management of VRE positive patients and controlling the usage of vancomycin in order to limit the development of resistant isolates.
McAlister
T
T
Division of Microbiology, Queensland Health Pathology Service, Royal Brisbane Hospitals Campus, Herston, South Australia.
George
N
N
Faoagali
J
J
Bell
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001315:Australia; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013293:Enterococcus faecalis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D020713:Vancomycin Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001618:beta-Lactamases