Review 1

This version of the course is no longer available.
Need multiple seats for your university or lab? Get a quote
The page below is a sample from the LabCE course Case Studies in Clinical Microbiology. Access the complete course and earn ASCLS P.A.C.E.-approved continuing education credits by subscribing online.

Learn more about Case Studies in Clinical Microbiology (online CE course)
Review 1

  • Garbutt JM. Littenberg B. Evanoff BA. Sahm D. Mundy LM. Enteric carriage of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in patients tested for Clostridium difficile.
  • Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. 20(10):664-70, 1999
  • OBJECTIVE: To identify independent risk factors for enteric carriage of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREF) in hospitalized patients tested for Clostridium difficile toxin.
  • PATIENTS: Convenience sample of 215 adult inpatients who had stool tested for C. difficile between January 29 and February 25, 1996.
  • RESULTS: 41 (19%) of 215 patients had enteric carriage of VREF. Five independent risk factors for enteric VREF were identified: (1) history of prior C. difficile infection, (2) parenteral treatment with vancomycin for > or = 5 days, (3) treatment with antimicrobials effective against gram-negative organisms, (4) admission from another institution, and (5) age > 60 years. These risk factors for enteric VREF were independent of the patient's current C. difficile status.
  • CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial exposures are the most important modifiable independent risk factors for enteric carriage of VREF in hospitalized patients tested for C. difficile.