In vitro activity of glycopeptides against clinical isolates of Entercocci from a tertiary care hospital

Objective: The objective of this study was to establish the prevalence of glycopeptide (vancomycin and teicoplanin) resistance among clinical isolates of enterococci in Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore, and comparison of antimicrobial sensitivities of vancomycin and teicoplanin among these isolates. Design: A comparative analytical study. Place of study: This study was conducted in the Department of Microbiology, Federal Postgraduate Medical Institute, Shaikh Zayed Hospital, Lahore. Materials and methods: 60 (Sixty) enterococci isolates were collected from clinical specimens received in the laboratory. Identification of these bacteria was done utilizing standard laboratory operating procedures. Their sensitivity to glycopeptide antibiotics was tested by disk diffusion method in accordance with the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) guidelines. Results: Results show that all enterococci were sensitive to teicoplanin. However, among these isolates 1.7% resistance to vancomycin was detected. Conclusion: The results indicate that resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics in the test organisms is low in our hospital. The presence of vancomycin resistance in 1.7% clinical enterococcal isolates necessitates strict surveillance of these organisms, institution of effective infection control policies and judicious use of antibiotics.