Introduction
Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) is a bacteria or what is also known as germ is a bacteria that causes bad infections. The first strains of this bacteria first appeared in Europe by the year 1986 and three years after (1989) the first incidence in America was reported and between the year 1989 to 1993 a significant increase in the cases was reported from 0.3% to 7.9%. This bacteria lives in the stomach of the person and is only causing infection when the person does not feel well. VRE is not limited to affecting the stomach alone it may also affect the different parts of the body. Caregivers and many healthy people may have the bacteria but is unaware of it. The bacteria may also lodge and survive in the person’s skin and throat. This is what we call as colonization the person may become the carrier of the bacteria that may cause disease to others (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus).
The name Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus is also given to a group of bacteria that are resistant to vancomycin. The bacteria was first discovered in 1985 and was found to be dangerous to person’s who are immunocompromised. This bacteria has 6 different types which are classified as follows: Van-A, Van-B, Van-C, Van-D, Van-E and Van-F. So far in the clinical practice only Van-A to C are seen and their only difference is their resistance to drugs as teicoplanin and vancomycin.
Healthy people can be carriers of the bacteria and could pass them on to people who comes in contact with the bacteria. Infections of this bacteria may be likely to occur in the hospital, and in intensively-farmed chicken where a significant percentage was found.
This study would cover the discussion on what VRE is and what are the characteristics of the disease it carries and what the treatment is for the infection. A discussion on how the infection is prevented would also be discussed.
What is Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE)?
Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) is the bacteria that grabbed the attention of public health officials in the 1980’s because of its survival ability in the human beings and animals. These bacteria is unfamiliar to many compared to staph or E. coli but the infections caused by these bacteria are commonly acquired in the hospital. However, this bacteria only cause infections to those who are already ill individuals such as patients in the intensive care Units, persons who have diabetes mellitus, and those who have chronic kidney failure. An epidemic is unlikely to occur because Enterococcus is a not a concern among healthy people.
Enterococci are of great interest because of its resistance and evasion to several forms of antibiotic therapy including vancomycin which is a last resort to most infections that are resistant to antibiotic therapy.
If the infection results in the human disease it has a fatal result particularly caused by VRE especially when infection occurs with the very young, old and the very ill whose immune system is compromised (VRE). As this bacteria can transmit resistance genes to other bacteria, chances are it may transmit these resistance genes to staph and strep which are more dangerous which may cause serious infections to healthy people (VRE).
What are the disease characteristics of the infection caused by VRE?
Symptoms of VRE infection may vary from patient to patient depending on where the infection is located. If an infection occurs in the wound, the affected part may be red and tender. When the infection is located in the urinary tract, symptoms may be back pain, burning sensation when urinating, and sometimes frequent urinating compared to the usual pattern of urination (VRE Infections). Other symptoms associated with VRE may include the following: diarrhea, weakness, excessive sweating, hypothermia, weakness, fever, chills, prolonged capillary refill, rapid heartbeat, increased respiration rate, low blood pressure, cool and clammy extremities, deficient oxygenation of the blood, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, pain and tenderness in the abdomen, coma, rashes, delirium, and confusion (Symptoms of Vancomycin).
What are the treatment for Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus?
If a person develops an infection involving VRE bacteria, isolation is the first and foremost action of the medical team to reduce the possibility of spreading the infection to other patients. However difficult the treatment is for VRE infections due to its resistance of the bacteria to many antibiotics, a cure is still possible. Antibiotics may be given orally or intravenously for treating the said infection (VRE Infections). But there is a need to test which antibiotic would be used to treat the infection and see which antibiotic works well in clearing the infection. If person develops VRE infection along with the usage of a urinary catheter, the catheter removal may also clear the infection but treatment is not required when infection does not follow colonization (Vancomycin-Resistant).
Treatments, however, for the VRE infection may be delayed because of the antibiotic testing. It may take some time because of the wide range of antibiotics that will be tested on the strains of the bacteria and laboratory results for the said testing may take quite some time (Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci – VRE).
How can we avoid the spread of VRE Infection?
VRE infection may cause serious problems among infected people and it is a contagious infection that may be passed on to by direct contact with the patient. Even if it not transferred by sneezing or coughing, people, especially caregivers should be watchful with patients infected with VRE.
VRE infection can be prevented by properly using the antibiotics such as vancomycin, teicoplanin, and cephalosporins to those patients who are prescribed with the medicine. Also a limitation in the use antibiotics which have actions like vancomycin in veterinary practice to reduce the possibility of its colonization in the animals that may later result in spreading it to human beings (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci – VRE).
In the hospitals, handwashing is a primary action and a must after caring for a patient with the VRE infection. Thorough cleaning may be necessary especially decontaminating of the equipment would be helpful in eliminating the chances of spreading the bacteria. Staff in the hospital must take precautions such as wearing of gloves and gowns while taking care of the patients because of the high probability of transfer of bacteria from patient to the hospital staff to other patients in the hospital if preventive measures are not taken. Upon the discharge of a patient with VRE, ll the linens and other clinical waste that were used by the patient should be disposed in bags which would indicate that it is contagious (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci – VRE).
Conclusion
As VRE is a very contagious disease, it is not impossible to limit or even zero out the transmission of the bacteria from one person to another. Through proper hygiene practices and prevention measures, the spread of the bacteria can be controlled. Educating patients or even the people with the proper use of the antibiotics may also help in preventing the said infection to occur. If the people would be aware of what would result if antibiotics are used improperly, they may also be cautious enough to consult a physician first before taking any antibiotics and thus the prevention of a possible VRE infection.
References
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). 2007. Web.
VRE – Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus. 2008. Web.
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Association of Medical Microbiologists. 1997. Web.
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE). 2008. Web.
VRE Infections. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP. 2008. Web.
Symptoms of Vancomycin resistant enterococcal bacteremia. 2008. Web.
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus. US Pharmacist. 2008. Web.