Antibiotic Resistance Pattern in Nosocomial Urinary Isolates of Enterococcus

Abstract

Background: Recent years have witnessed advancement in medical facilities and as a consequence increase in healthcare related infections. The leading problem in majority of hospitals is nosocomial infections. Among nosocomial infections UTI has utmost
importance. Enterococcus is among one of nosocomial organisms. Enterococcus emerges as important nosocomial pathogen during past few decades. The present research project was designed to study drug susceptibility of clinical isolates of Enterococcus species to have better knowledge in understanding the emerging organism and making treatment more accurate.
Results: 52.72% (29) were isolated from urine samples collected from female patients whereas 47.27% (26) from male patients.
Enterococcus faecalis was present in 87.27% (48) clinical cases and Enterococcus faecium in 12.7% (07). Enterococcus was
frequently isolated from medicine 42% (23) and ICU 29% (16) wards. In this study, Quinolones group showed high resistance
where as fosfomycin, vancomycin and linezolid were found useful against Enterococcus infections.
Methods: 55 positive culture of Enterococcus were analyzed after collection of urine sample from different hospitals. Urine samples were streaked on CLED medium for isolation of organisms. Organisms were identified by their colonial characteristics and gram staining. For further identification bile esculin test and mannitol salt agar test was performed.
Conclusion: Enterococcus is emerging as important nosocomial uropathogen. Antibiotic resistance among Enterococci spp. are on rise and become great concern for hospital setup. Quinolones prescription should be eluded as empirical treatment for Enterococcus urinary tract infection whereas fosfomycin, Vancomycin and linezolid are potent drugs but should be used with caution.

Key words: Urinary tract infection, Enterococcus, Nosocomial infection or hospital acquired infection, antimicrobial susceptibility.