Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Avium Infections: Report of 2 Cases and a Review of Enterococcus Avium Infections
Document Type
Review
Publication Date
7-1-2004
Description
Enterococcus avium (EA) is a rare human pathogen and only a few case series exist. We reviewed EA infections and also report 2 cases of EA infection that were resistant to Vancomycin (VREA) and describe its clinical manifestations and mechanism of resistance. Patient 1 was diagnosed with a polymicrobial (with VREA) infected pancreatic pseudocyst. Patient 2 was diagnosed with a VREA catheter-associated cystitis. Both individuals were immunocompetent. Both VREA infected individuals were treated with and responded to linezolid. Both VREA isolates were susceptible to linezolid as defined as a MIC < 2 micrograms/mL. One strain of VREA was demonstrated to harbor a vanA gene. Thus, VREA and EA are human pathogens. Therapy with linezolid was effective. Resistance to vancomycin is mediated at least in part by vanA-mediated resistance. Infection control measures should thus be considered whenever VREA is isolated in a nosocomial setting.
Citation Information
Lee, Prescott P.; Ferguson, Donald A.; and Laffan, John J.. 2004. Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Avium Infections: Report of 2 Cases and a Review of Enterococcus Avium Infections. Infectious Diseases in Clinical Practice. Vol.12(4). 239-244. https://doi.org/10.1097/01.idc.0000130887.89740.7f ISSN: 1056-9103