Heteroresistance to vancomycin in Enterococcus faecium

J Clin Microbiol. 2001 Sep;39(9):3379-81. doi: 10.1128/JCM.39.9.3379-3381.2001.

Abstract

This study presents the first report of vancomycin heteroresistance in an Enterococcus faecium isolate from a patient. The original isolate was susceptible in vitro to vancomycin. E-tests showed growth of subcolonies in a zone of inhibition with a vancomycin MIC of >256 microg/ml. Both the susceptible and resistant colonies were from the same strain as determined by PFGE, and both contained the vanA gene as determined by PCR.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Enterococcus faecium / classification*
  • Enterococcus faecium / drug effects*
  • Enterococcus faecium / genetics
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / methods
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Vancomycin / pharmacology*
  • Vancomycin Resistance / genetics*

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Vancomycin