Point-prevalence survey of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae and vancomycin-resistant enterococci in adult inpatients in a university teaching hospital in the UK.

Authors
Wilson, HJ 
Khokhar, F 
Enoch, DA 
Brown, NM 
Ahluwalia, J 

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Abstract

Infections with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but the carriage rates of CRE and VRE among hospital inpatients are unknown. A point-prevalence survey was conducted to determine CPE and VRE carriage rates in hospitalized adults. Eight hundred and eighteen of 960 (85.2%) adult inpatients were invited to participate in the study. Of these, 595 patients (72.7%) consented and provided specimens. Of 540 samples tested, none were positive for CPE. One hundred and thirty of 540 (24.1%) samples were VRE positive, and 34 of 40 (85%) of wards had cases. Universal screening for CPE may not be cost-effective in low-prevalence settings, but targeted screening of high-risk patients should continue. The optimal screening strategy for VRE remains to be determined, as universal screening and isolation is not feasible in the study setting.

Publication Date
2018-09
Online Publication Date
2018-06-30
Acceptance Date
2018-06-27
Keywords
CPE, Carriage, Prevalence, Surveillance, VRE, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae, Carrier State, Enterobacteriaceae Infections, Female, Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections, Hospitals, University, Humans, Inpatients, Male, Middle Aged, Prevalence, Surveys and Questionnaires, United Kingdom, Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci, Young Adult
Journal Title
J Hosp Infect
Journal ISSN
0195-6701
1532-2939
Volume Title
100
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
Academy of Medical Sciences (unknown)
Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (CUH) (BRC)
Medical Research Council (MR/N029399/1)