Molecular characterization of vancomycin-resistant enterococci from clinical and surveillance specimens.
OBJECTIVE
To compare the molecular characteristics of infection-derived (ID) isolates and intestinal colonization-derived (ICD) isolates of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) recovered from hospitalized patients.


METHODS
A 12-month prospective cohort study.


METHODS
A 1,000-bed teaching facility.


METHODS
From January through December 2004, a total of 30 pairs of vanA-containing enterococcal isolates were collected from patients admitted to a teaching hospital in South Korea. Each pair comprised an ID and an ICD VRE isolate from the same patient. All VRE isolates were investigated on the basis of SmaI-restricted pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) pattern, Tn1546 type, and presence of the esp gene, including A and C repeat number variation.


RESULTS
Members of 19 pairs (63%) of VRE isolates were genetically indistinguishable from each other. The 11 patients for whom the molecular characteristics of the ID isolates differed from those of the ICD isolates had longer durations of hospitalization and intensive care unit (ICU) stay, compared with the other 19 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest the longer durations of hospitalization and ICU stay may be possible risk factors for colonization with multiple clones of VRE.
Huh
Ji Young
JY
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
Lee
Wee Gyo
WG
Jin
Hye Young
HY
D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology*; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007422:Intestines / Q000382:microbiology*; D007723:Korea; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D020713:Vancomycin Resistance