Abstract
We review the history of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) and propose a causal model illustrating the roles of exposure to VRE reservoirs, patient characteristics, antimicrobial exposure, and prevalence of VRE in the progression from potential VRE reservoirs to active disease in hospitalized patients. Differences in VRE colonization and VRE infection are discussed with respect to hospital surveillance methodology and implications for interventions. We further document clonal transmission of VRE in a large, urban, teaching hospital and demonstrate VRE susceptibility to a wide array of antimicrobial agents. This model can guide the identification of mutable factors that are focal points for intervention.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 159-171 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Journal of Hospital Infection |
Volume | 53 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Mar 2003 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Antimicrobials
- Enterococci
- Resistance
- Vancomycin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
- Microbiology
- Parasitology
- Virology
- Immunology and Allergy
- Infectious Diseases