Vancomycin-resistant enterococcal infections: Epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and management

Enterococci are associated with a variety of clinical syndromes, including bacteremia, endocarditis, and urinary tract infections. Over the past decade, vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have emerged as an important cause of nosocomial infections. VRE have a significant impact on the mortality and outcomes of patients and increase the cost of hospitalization. Treatment of serious VRE infections is a challenge; the few antimicrobial agents that were available in the past were often ineffective or poorly tolerated. Newer antimicrobial agents have proved effective in the treatment of some VRE infections, although resistance has already been reported.