MAGNITUDE OF VANCOMYCIN RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCI COLONIZATION AND ASSOCIATED FACTOR AMONG HIV INFECTED PATIENTS AT HIWOT FANA SPECIALIZED UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL, HARAR, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

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