VRE, Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci, is a relatively new infection being found in hospitals, and can cause death in patients whose immune systems are not strong enough to fight off the infection.
Enterococci (the plural form of enterococcus) is a type of bacteria found naturally in the body's intestinal tract and in the genital tract of women. As long as it stays in the intestinal or female genital tract, it doesn't usually cause a problem and does not need to be treated. This is known as a "colonization" rather than an "infection."
However, enterococi can cause dangerous infections in other parts of the body like the urinary tract, the bloodstream, a wound or a catheter insertion site.
Vancomycin is an antibiotic that has been around for more than 50 years. It was originally developed for infections that are resistant to penicillin, including MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and the oral form is used to treat another tough infection, C. Diff. A patient with an infection will usually be treated first with an antibiotic that is easier on the system than vancomyin is. If that antibiotic doesn't work to kill the infection, then vancomycin may be prescribed.
But, in recent years, some of those more aggressive infection causing bacteria like MRSA have become resistant to vancomycin, too. Those bacteria that used to be susceptible to vancomycin have evolved to be able to tolerate it. Included is one form of enterococci infection, now called VRE. Patients whose immune systems are compromised can die from a VRE infection.
Prevention of VRE, like all other hospital acquired infections, is key. Whether you are a patient, a caregiver or a patient advocate, you'll want to follow the steps to prevent a hospital acquired infection.
Learn about additional infections hospital patients must be be concerned about:
- Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
- Clostridium difficile (C.Diff)
- Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP)
- Necrotizing fasciitis, the flesh-eating bacterial disease
- Also - Central Line Infections - these are not superbugs, rather they are one mode of entry for these infectious agents.
- Sepsis and Septicemia of the blood
- Some advice about preventing hospital infections, too.
References:
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci from the CDC
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus (VRE) from the New York State Department of Health
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) from Johns Hopkins Medicine
