What Is VRE Infection: Its Causes, Symptoms And How To Treat?

What Is VRE Infection: Its Causes, Symptoms And How To Treat? . Nowadays drug resistance has become real tough affair for the doctors while treating the patient. VRE infection is a short name for Vancomycin resistant enterococcus infection. In this type of infection, the enteroccoci have become resistant to several antibiotics and particularly Vancomycin.

Enterococci bacteria normally live in harmony with other bacteria present in gut without disturbing the natural bacterial flora. The problem arises when enterococci cause infection. The common sites of enterococcus infection include intestine, skin and urinary tract. VRE infection can have serious outcome especially in people who have low immune level and those who are weak, suffering from chronic ailments such as diabetes, kidney disease and cancer.

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VRE infection is common in hospital setting and rarely at home and in community at large. Bad hygienic atmosphere is usually responsible for its spread. Vancomycin is a potent antibiotic which can kill the enterococci easily. But since few decades, some species of enterococci have become resistant to Vancomycin and the infection that it causes is called Vancomycin resistance enterococci infection.

Causes Of VRE Infection

It is usually transmitted from one person to other person in hospital. Microscopic amount of fecal matter of the patient contaminates hospital environment and the hands of health care personal of the hospital.

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The soiled bed linen and clothes of a person who has VRE are also the source of spreading the infection. VRE infection does not spread through air.

In a healthy person there is a rare chance of contracting VRE infection, even if these bacteria are present in his system. People who have compromised immune system or people having diseases such as diabetes and cancer are vulnerable of contracting this notorious bacterial infection. Person who has undergone a major surgery is also at a risk of VRE infection.

The risk increases when the person stays in ICU for long time. Introducing catheter in the urinary tract, intravenous drips are also source of introducing the bacteria in the body.

The exact reason is not known why some people become susceptible to VRE infection where as other may not. But repeated use of Vancomycin has been blamed as the real cause. After some time the bacteria may change its DNA and the antibiotic may not work upon them.

VRE Infection Symptoms

The symptoms of VRE infection usually depends on the site of infection. Normally any antibiotic resistant infection symptoms are similar to that of normal infection.

• The systemic symptoms may include high fever, headache, chills, fast heart rate, giddiness, low appetite, weakness and drowsy feeling. Low blood pressure is also common if there is septic shock as a result of VRE infection.
• Diarrhea, pain in abdomen, vomiting, nausea, fever, etc are abdominal symptoms.
• If infection is limited to urinary tract, there is burning urination, fever, pain in back, red urine and other urinary tract symptoms.
• VRE can infect surgical wound or any skin wound leading to inflammation, pus discharge and other local skin symptoms.
• VRE infection can also affect brain and heart leading to meningitis or endocarditis. In meningitis, the patient may complain of severe headache, neck stiffness, vomiting, fever, drowsiness, etc.

How To Treat VRE Infection?

When a person is suffering from VRE infection he is kept in an isolated ward so that he may not spread infection to others. Extra precautionary measures are taken by the attending health care workers and doctors, such as wearing gloves and gowns while handling the patient or examining him.

• VRE infection is difficult to treat as the enterococci bacteria have become resistant to many antibiotics. For this reason doctors may advise culture and sensitivity of blood, urine and stool and cerebrospinal fluid as the case may be. Although it is time consuming, the result gives a clue to use an effective antibiotic.
• Sometime two antibiotics are used in drug resistant cases. Except vancomycin, many other potent antibiotics are used to treat the condition.
• In most people the symptoms may alleviate once the immune system becomes stronger. Often it may take long time.
• The source of infection such as intravenous line or Foley’s catheter is removed and replaced if necessary with a fresh one.