Abstract:
Enterococci are commensal organisms that colonize the human gastrointestinal
tract and female genital tract .The emergence of vancomycin resistance Enterococci has alarmed
the global infectious diseases community due to few option choices leave for disease
management. However, there is limited data regarding vancomycin resistance Enterococci
Ethiopia.
Objective: The study aimed to determine the magnitude of vancomycin resistance Enterococci
colonization and associated factors among human immunodeficiency virus infected patients at
Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia.
Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 260 human immunodeficiency
virus infected patients attending Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital from April 10, to
May 10, 2021. Data were gathered using a pretested structured questionnaire. Stool samples were
collected and transported to the Medical Microbiology Laboratory of the Medical Laboratory
Department of the Haramaya University using the Cary Blair Transport media. Stool samples
were streaked on Bile Esculin Agar and blood agar incubated for 24 hours at 37°C. Plates were
observed for the appearance of characteristic colonies with dark halo center and grey colony.
Typical colonies were selected for using: (a) Gram stains; Gram-positive cocci in pairs or short
chains, (b) Catalase test; catalase test negative (c) Growth in 6.5% NaCl; indicated by turbidity.
An isolate fulfilling the above criteria was considered as an Enterococcus species. Data were
entered by using Epi data version 4.6.0.2 software, and analyzed by Statistical Package for Social
Sciences version 26 software. Chi-square and Fisher's exact two-tailed tests were used to
determine the strength of association between dependent and independent variables. A P-value
less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant.
RESULT: Out of 260 human immunodeficiency virus infected patients 26.2% (95% CI: 22.2-
31.6%) were positive for Enterococci species. Of these, the prevalence of vancomycin resistant
Enterococci was 7.4% (95% CI: 1.5–14.7%). The high rate of resistance of Enterococci isolates
was seen to Penicillin 91.2%. Multidrug resistances were observed in 88.2% of Enterococci
isolates. Previous antibiotic treatment for more than two weeks before the commencement of the
study was significantly associated with VRE (
2
: 7.093, p value=0.009).
XI
CONCLUSION: The prevalence of vancomycin resistant Enterococci was 7.4%. Multidrug resistant Enterococci was high. Prior antibiotic treatment was associated with vancomycin
resistant Enterococci colonization
