Prevalence of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) in Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections(CAUTI) with special reference to biofilm formation

Introduction: Enterococci have been recognized as an important cause of hospital-acquired infections. They are currently the second most common organisms recovered from nosocomial urinary tract infection. Emergence of Vancomycin resistance has been a threat in the hospital settings. Biofilm formation is also an important virulence factor contributing to drug resistance. Aim: To know the prevalence of VRE in device infections CAUTI and role of biofilm formation in the associations of CAUTI. Materials and Methods: Total 100 Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) cases were included. Controls comprised of 50 cases of UTI but non-catheterized. Bacteriological identification and susceptilibity testing were done as per standard protocol. Results: Overall culture positivity in CAUTI was 32%. Enterococci (40.62%) were the predominant pathogens followed by E.coli (37.50%). VRE prevalence in current study was 18.75%. Strong biofilms were mainly produced by resistant isolates(30.76%). Biofilm formation by VRE was statistically significant (p value= 0.01124). VRE infection was also more common in CAUTI (p value= 0.000019). Conclusion: VRE detection and its control entail an aggressive approach which involves strict adherence to standard infection control practices by the hospital personnel. Role of the Microbiology Laboratory plays important role in the Detection, Reporting and Control of VRE. Collaboration between the laboratory and the infection-control program will definitely play an important role in this.