Epidemiological and microbiome associations between Klebsiella pneumoniae and Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus colonization in Intensive Care Unit patients

Background Prior colonization by Klebsiella pneumoniae and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) is associated with subsequent infection, particularly in intensive care unit (ICU) populations. Screening for VRE colonization, but not K. pneumoniae, is routinely performed in some health care systems. Identification of patient factors associated with K. pneumoniae colonization could enable infection prevention.