Open AccessVancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Colonization and Clostridium difficile Infection in a Hematologic Patient
Author(s) -
Ivana Goić-Barišić,
Marina Radić,
Anita Novak,
Žana Rubić,
Nataša Boban,
Boris Lukšić,
Marija Tonkić
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
acta clinica croatica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.274
H-Index - 20
eISSN - 1333-9451
pISSN - 0353-9466
DOI - 10.20471/acc.2020.59.03.17
Subject(s) - enterococcus faecium , clostridium difficile , colonization , microbiology and biotechnology , vancomycin , enterococcus , vancomycin resistant enterococci , medicine , vancomycin resistant enterococcus , antibiotics , biology , bacteria , staphylococcus aureus , genetics
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), especially Enterococcus faecium , have emerged as significant nosocomial pathogens and patients with impaired host defenses are at a particular risk of VRE infection. The most common occurrence is asymptomatic colonization of the gastrointestinal tract that can persist for a long time and serve as a reservoir for transmission of VRE to other patients. We present a case of a patient who was diagnosed with acute myelogenous leukemia and suffered from bone marrow aplasia following induction therapy. The patient received prolonged broad-spectrum antimicrobial therapy. During hospital stay, the patient developed Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and was found to be colonized with a strain of Enterococcus faecium resistant to vancomycin during therapy for CDI. This case also highlights the role of risk factors that could contribute to development of resistance, particularly CDI. Early detection of VRE colonization or infection is a crucial component in hospital program designed to prevent transmission of nosocomial infections. Surveillance cultures of such patients should be mandatory.