Vancomycin, high level aminoglycoside and other antimicrobial resistance of enterococci isolated from stools of hospitalized patients

Abstract

Enterococci are among the principle causative agents of nosocomial infections which could be reliably treated with vancomycin. However, recently vancomycin-resistant strains are reported. Since the gastrointestinal tractus is the reservoir for enterococci we collected stool samples from patients in the intensive care units and other clinics where enterococcal resistance is likely due to frequent antibiotic administration. We isolated 115 strains from 144 stool samples. Resistance percentages were 6.1% to penicillin and imipenem, 8.6% to ciprofloxacin, 6.1% to norfloxacin, 17.3% to nitrofurantoin. None of the strains were to vancomycin-resistant or producing beta-lactamase. High-level aminoglycoside resistance was found 21.7% to streptomycin, 9.5% to gentamicin. Our results showed that enterococcal strains recruited in our hospital are susceptible to vancomycin, but revealed considerable resistance to other antimicrobials.