Abstract :
Introduction: The clinical importance of the genus Enterococcus species relates to its intrinsic antibiotic
resistance. Synergistic activity of penicillin and aminoglycosides against Enterococcusis preferred
treatment. However, Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommends usage of linezolid and
daptomycin against emerging vancomycin resistant Enterococcus(VRE) isolates. In this study, we sought
to measure the prevalence of vancomycin, linezolid and daptomycin resistance in Enterococcus clinical
isolates from patients in a tertiary hospital of Western Maharashtra.
Materials and Methods: A total of 363 clinical isolates of Enterococcusspecies isolated from different
clinical samples over the last three years and three months study period were analyzed for antibiotic
susceptibility pattern against vancomycin, linezolid and daptomycin.
Results: Study demonstrated low prevalence of vancomycin (4.95%) and linezolid resistance (1.10%)
among Enterococcus clinical isolates. Combined resistance to vancomycin and linezolid was also noted in
few isolates. No daptomycin resistance was detected in this study, however in vitro daptomycin susceptible
and vancomycin heteroresistance isolates may not respond to daptomycin monotherapy.
Conclusion: Our study, demonstrated relatively low prevalence of vancomycin and linezolid resistance, but
emergence of combined newer drug resistance in Enterococcus species is cause of concern and reiterates
the importance of importance of judicious use of antibiotics.
Keyword :
VRE, Linezolid, Daptomycin, E test.