Clin Pediatr Hematol Oncol.  2008 Oct;15(2):75-82.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci Colonization of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology Patients

• Lee SW
• Jung HJ
• Park JE

Abstract

PURPOSE: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are significantly increased as nosocomial pathogens in immunocompromised patients. But the identification of risk factors for VRE colonization and the guideline for management of VRE colonization are necessary for children's hematology and oncology wards.
METHODS
Eleven cases of VRE intestinal colonizations occurred at a children's tertiary cancer hospital between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2007. We reviewed medical records of cases retrospectively and performed a matched case-control study to identify risk factors of the VRE colonization.
RESULTS
All 11 VRE colonizations were due to Enterococcus faecium vanA and seasonal outbreak occurred in winter. Univariate analysis identified the hospital admission duration associated with VRE colonization (P=0.048). The prolonged course of antimicrobial therapys promoted VRE colonizations (P=0.006). Despite no specific antibiotics therapy just for VRE colonizations, spontaneous negative conversions occurred in 3 cases and there were no evidences of the VRE infection.
CONCLUSION
It's reasonable to withhold the VRE eradication provided surveillance and hygienic controls are strictly applied.

Keyword

Vancomycin-resistant; Enterococci; Hematological malignancies; Rectal colonization

MeSH Terms

Anti-Bacterial Agents
Cancer Care Facilities
Case-Control Studies
Colon
Enterococcus faecium
Hematologic Neoplasms
Hematology
Humans
Immunocompromised Host
Medical Records
Retrospective Studies
Risk Factors
Seasons
Anti-Bacterial Agents