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Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE), first reported in 1988, has emerged as a leading nosocomial pathogen. While VRE plagues oncology, transplantation, and intensive care units, it is an

uncommon pathogen in newborns. VRE bloodstream infection was seen in our Regional Neonatal Intensive Care Unit(RNICU) in November 1995. This was followed by an outbreak of VRE colonization

in our RNICU with a peak colonization rate (incidence) of 66% within 3 weeks. Point prevalence and the natural history of VRE colonization was studied by obtaining monthly perianal cultures

on all babies in the unit after intense review of infection control measures with the staff. Of the 193 babies cultured, 53 had serial cultures (range 2-9; median=2). Of the 18/193 (9%)

babies who were culture positive, 9 were positive with the first culture (of which 3 were persistently culture positive); the other 9 became positive after≥1 negative culture. The table

shows point prevalence and colonization rates. These data show that strict infection control measures can significantly decrease the point prevalence and the rate of colonization of VRE.

However, as shown in adults, VRE can persist in a neonatal intensive care unit as an endemic nosocomial pathogen despite strict infection control measures. AUTHOR INFORMATION AUTHORS AND

AFFILIATIONS * Divisions of Neonatology and Infectious Disease, Westchester Medical Center, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, USA R K Malik, M R Reale, M M Montecalvo, C Gedris & H

S Dweck Authors * R K Malik View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * M R Reale View author publications You can also search for this author

inPubMed Google Scholar * M M Montecalvo View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar * C Gedris View author publications You can also search for this

author inPubMed Google Scholar * H S Dweck View author publications You can also search for this author inPubMed Google Scholar RIGHTS AND PERMISSIONS Reprints and permissions ABOUT THIS

ARTICLE CITE THIS ARTICLE Malik, R., Reale, M., Montecalvo, M. _et al._ POINT PREVALENCE AND NATURAL HISTORY OF VRE COLONIZATION IN A REGIONAL NEONATAL INTENSIVE CARE UNIT. 1205. _Pediatr

Res_ 41 (Suppl 4), 203 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199704001-01224 Download citation * Issue Date: 01 April 1997 * DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-199704001-01224 SHARE

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