The Center for Disease Dynamics, Economics & Policy

E. faecalis resistance is low, but steadily increasing

BACKGROUND

Enterococcus faecalis accounts for many more clinical Enterococcus isolates than E. faecium. Fortunately, in most cases infections with this particular species are readily treatable with vancomycin. Enterococcus is an anaerobic bacterial genus that is a commensal inhabitant of the human intestine. Because of their intrinsic drug resistance to many antibiotics, enterococci are an important pathogen in the hospital environment and are a major cause of nosocomial (health care–associated) infections. Although colonization with resistant strains is the norm, physically debilitated patients can develop endocarditis, surgical wound, urinary tract, or bloodstream infections.

The rise of enterococcal resistance to vancomycin is disconcerting because the bug can share its resistance genes with S. aureus, giving rise to vancomycin resistance in that organism and creating a new superbug, known as VRSA. In addition, with the emergence of linezolid resistance, future treatment alternatives are becoming fewer and more expensive. 

U.S. RESISTANCE IN THE GLOBAL CONTEXT

RESISTANCE BY U.S. CENSUS DIVISION, 1999-2010