What is it?

Enterococci are germs that live in most individuals' gastrointestinal tract (bowels) and generally do not cause harm. VRE are strains of enterococci that are resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin. If a person has an infection caused by VRE, e.g., a urinary tract infection, it can be more challenging to treat.

Infection generally occurs in people with a serious illness, especially if there is a combination of indwelling devices such as intravenous and central venous lines, urinary catheters and surgical drains, and antibiotic therapy. Decreased immunity may also be a contributing factor.

Antibiotics are used to treat only severe and invasive infections. Superficial sites that may have become colonised should be covered with an appropriate wound dressing.

What are the symptoms?

VRE can be carried in the intestines and genital tract without causing symptoms.

Symptoms of VRE infection include

• Fever
• Feeling generally ill
• A rapid heartbeat
• Pain, swelling, or redness in your body
• Chills

Transmission

VRE is spread through direct contact with bodily fluids from an infected person, such as blood, phlegm, urine, or stool, or by touching contaminated surfaces.

The most common transmission route is from resident to resident via the hands of staff who acquire the organism after direct resident care or after handling contaminated surfaces or items. VRE typically does not spread through the air, nor can it be spread through casual contact such as hugging.

Diagnosis

For a diagnosis of VRE infection, blood, urine, or stool samples need to be sent to the pathology lab for testing.