Publication:

Characterization, speciation and antimicrobial resistance pattern of Enterococcus species isolated from clinical specimens at a rural tertiary care hospital

Background Enterococci have attracted much attention in recent years due to their increased recognition as a cause of nosocomial infection. They exhibit vancomycin resistance with increasing frequency so that determination of antimicrobial susceptibility pattern is necessary. Aim of present study is to determine the prevalence and susceptibility pattern of Enterococci in rural tertiary care hospital.

Methods Total of 100 Enterococcus isolated from various clinical samples were identified and speciated by Vitek®2 compact system (BIOMERIEUX). Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by modified Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. Results were interpreted as per CLSI guidelines and vancomycin MIC was determined by E-test method.

Results Out of 100 Enterococcus strains 47 were E. faecalis, 51 were E. faecium, 02 were E. gallinarum and 01 was E. cassaliflavus. Resistance to penicillin, ampicillin, ciprofloxacin, elevated level gentamycin and high-level streptomycin were observed. All isolates were sensitive to linezolid and teicoplanin, 6% strains showed vancomycin resistance by E-test.

Conclusions High rate of resistance to penicillin, ciprofloxacin and aminoglycosides is observed and emergence of VRE has further worsened this situation. So, there is an urgent need for more rational use of antimicrobials and infection control.