Glycopeptide-resistant enterococci: a decade of experience

Excretion of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci by Wild Mammals

“…Enterococci are well suited as nosocomial pathogens because they readily colonize skin and mucous membranes, survive well in the environment, tolerate temperatures from 10°C to 45°C, survive in acid and alkaline conditions, and are intrinsically resistant to many antimicrobial drugs such as cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, and aminoglycosides. The importance of this pathogen has been heightened by the emergence of multidrug-resistant enterococci, which has raised the specter of untreatable infections ( 2 , 4 ). Although a number of Enterococcus species exist, most human infections are caused by E. faecalis and E. faecium.…”

“…Although a number of Enterococcus species exist, most human infections are caused by E. faecalis and E. faecium. E. faecium is isolated more frequently in Europe and E. faecalis in the United States ( 1 , 2 , 5 , 6 ). Among several phenotypes of glycopeptide resistance, VanA (teicoplanin and vancomycin resistance) and VanB (vancomycin resistance only) account for most resistant isolates ( 1 ).…”

True

“…2 Like S. aureus, enterococcal infections no longer respond to a vast array of antimicrobials including vancomycin. 3 Enterococci account for approximately 110 000 urinary tract infections, 25 000 cases of bacteremia, 40 000 wound infections and 1100 cases of endocarditis annually in the USA. 4 In contrast to the acquired resistance of Staphylococci and Enterococci species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa exhibits intrinsic resistance to many structurally unrelated antibiotics.…”

Virulence factors in vancomycin-resistant and vancomycin - susceptible Enterococcus faecalis from Brazil

“…Of the five phenotypes of glycopeptide resistance described (4,11,26) VanA and VanB are the most commom (26).…”