Open AccessEmergence of increasing linezolid-resistance in enterococci in a post-outbreak situation with vancomycin-resistantEnterococcus faecium
Author(s) -
Berit Schulte,
Alexandra Heininger,
Ingo B. Autenrieth,
Christiane Wolz
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
epidemiology and infection
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.992
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1469-4409
pISSN - 0950-2688
DOI - 10.1017/s0950268807009508
Subject(s) - linezolid , enterococcus faecium , outbreak , enterococcus , microbiology and biotechnology , vancomycin , vancomycin resistant enterococci , medicine , vancomycin resistant enterococcus , drug resistance , antibiotics , biology , virology , staphylococcus aureus , bacteria , genetics
During 2004 and at the start of 2005 a university hospital in Southwest Germany was affected by an extensive outbreak of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE). Although the outbreak was contained, linezolid-resistant enterococci emerged during and after the outbreak as the usage of linezolid became more common. Linezolid resistance was no longer limited to VRE. Nosocomial spread of linezolid-resistant but vancomycin-susceptible E. faecium was detected and these strains also emerged in patients without prior drug exposure. Linezolid should therefore be used with caution and the susceptibility of isolates monitored over time. Isolation precautions and screening of contacts should be considered to avoid spread of resistant isolates.