Phenotypic Characterization and Antibiotic Susceptibility Pattern of Clinical Isolates of Enterococci with Special Emphasis on Vancomycin Resistance

Abstract

Aims And Objectives Primary Objective: To the isolates and identify the enterococci from various clinical specimens. Secondary Objectives: To determine the antibiotics susceptibility pattern of enterococci isolates. Design: Prospective Study Materials And Methods: 65 Clinical samples sent for bacteriological examination and culture sensitivity were taken up in this study. Preliminary findings and identification of Enterococci species was carried out using Gram staining, Catalase test, Bile esculin test and growth in NaCl, followed by Antibiotic sensitivity testing in Muller Hilton Agar. The resistant strains were subjected to agar dilution method, Vancomycin e-strip method and Vitek-2 automated system for phenotypic detection of Vancomycin resistance. The results were observed and analysed. Result: Among 65 clinical specimens analysed, enterococci species were isolated from various specimens. Among which 50 isolates which were identified as E. faecalis from biochemical tests were further analysed for antibiotic susceptibility pattern. Keywords: VRE, Enterococci, Phenotypic methods, Resistance, Enterococci, Speciation, Antibiotic resistance, High level gentamicin, Vancomycin.