Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus: risk factors, surveillance, infections, and treatment.
BACKGROUND
The use of vancomycin has continued to expand because of the increasing number of patients infected or colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, causing an increase in the prevalence of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE).


METHODS
Review of the pertinent English language literature.


RESULTS
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. are being identified more often in nosocomial infections of surgical patients. The biology of resistance, modes of transmission, patient risk factors, and current treatment strategies are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
The reservoir of resistance in enterococci looms as a major threat for genetic transfer and the emergence of increasing numbers of vancomycin-resistant S. aureus.
Mazuski
John E
JE
Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. mazuskij@wustl.edu
D002353:Carrier State / Q000188:drug therapy; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D055624:Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus / Q000187:drug effects*; D015995:Prevalence; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D020713:Vancomycin Resistance