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Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE)Enterococci are low-grade but opportunistic bacteria. They are found as normal inhabitants of the gastrointestinal tract. Infections include:
In general these bacteria are relatively resistant to many antibiotics. Amoxicillin and vancomycin/teicoplanin are the main antibiotics used to treat serious enterococcal infections. Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are a particular problem because they are often resistant to amoxicillin and teicoplanin as well. Infections are thus very difficult to treat, although a new antibiotic, Linezolid, is now available. VRE don't usually cause many problems except in certain settings including
As well as causing occasional opportunistic infections, VRE is frequently carried in the gut of patients without doing any harm. There is no way to clear gut carriage of VRE and this makes the control of VRE very difficult once it becomes established within a unit/ward. In general a combination of Enteric Precautions and Wound and skin precautions are recommended for patients with VRE who have diarrhoea, discharging lesions or other wounds, or for a sporadic case of VRE in a Unit/Ward without an endemic problem. The Infection Control Team will advise further (see Infection Control Intranet Site)
Page last edited: 12/03/2009 |
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Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here. |