Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE) (Microbiology)

What causes VRE?

can be spread from one person to another through casual contact or through contaminated objects; most often this spread from hands of healthcare professional to a pt in the hospital or other health care setting; not usually spread through airlike common cold or flu viruses UNLESS you have VRE pneumonia & are coughing (this is rare); healthy ppl have a very low chance of getting VRE even if they've been exposed; this infection generally occurs among ppl w./ weakened immune systems or long-term illnesses, or ppl that have had recent surgeries & are on multiple antibiotics; experts are not completely sure why ppl are infected w/ VRE. recxent studies show that frequent use of antibiotics can lead to VRE due bacteria being able to outsmart the antibiotics and they just don't work as well anymore

How is VRE diagnosed?

sample of infected wound, blood, urine, or stool is sent to the lab, lab grows bac and test to see which kinds of antibiotics kills the bac; this could take several days

What is VRE?

type of bac called enterococci that have developed resistance to many antibiotics, especially vancomycin, bac lives in our intestines & on our skin, usually w/out causing problems; becomes a problem when infected; infection can occur anywhere in the body; common sites are intestines, urinary tract, & wounds, for some, especially sick ppl, infections can become serious; these infections can be treated w/ antibiotics; harder to treat due to resistance to anitbiotics

Symptoms of VRE

wound sympts could be red or tender area; urinary tract sympts could be back pain, burning when urinating, need to urinate more often; some ppl w/ infection experience diarrhea, feel weak & sick, or have fever & chills