Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) (cont.)
Treatment of of vancomycin-resistant enterococci
Most VRE infections can be treated with antibiotics
other than vancomycin. Some of the antibiotics that fail to work because of
intrinsic resistance include some types of penicillin,
cephalosporins,
clindamycin, and aminoglycosides. Treatments that are ineffective because of
acquired resistance include vancomycin, some penicillins, macrolides (such as
erythromycin), tetracycline, quinolones, and others.
The course of treatment is determined by testing
different antibiotics in the laboratory to determine which ones might be most effective against the
infectious strain. If you develop a VRE infection and have a urinary catheter,
sometimes removing the catheter will clear the infection.
If you are colonized with VRE - the bacteria are present but have not caused an
infection - you usually will not require treatment.
Prevention of of vancomycin-resistant enterococci
Proper hand hygiene - thorough washing with soap and then drying - is the best
way to prevent the spread of enterococci.
The CDC Hospital Infection Control Program encourages
hospitals to develop their own institution-specific plans, which should stress:
- Prudent vancomycin use by clinicians
- Hospital staff education regarding
vancomycin resistance
- Early detection and prompt reporting of vancomycin
resistance in enterococci and other
gram-positive microorganisms by the hospital
microbiology laboratory
- Immediate implementation of appropriate infection
control measures to prevent person-to-person VRE transmission
Next: Research on of vancomycin-resistant enterococci »
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