Abstract

Rama Paudel* and Hari Prasad Nepal

ABSTRACT

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is an increasing problem throughout the world. Nosocomial infections caused by VRE are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The most common VRE infections are urinary tract infections, bacteremia, and wound infections. They have also been implicated in serious infections such as endocarditis and meningitis. Vancomycin resistance has reduced the therapeutic options in management of enterococcal infections. Currently, linezolid is the only drug approved by Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of various VRE infections. Quinupristin/dalfopristin, tedizolid, beta lactam-aminoglycoside combination, dual beta lactam combination, daptomycin, daptomycin-beta lactam combination, tigecycline, doxycycline, chloramphenicol, teicoplanin, new glycopeptides such as dalbavancin and oritavancin, and nitrofurantoin have also shown promising results and can be recommended as alternative drugs for treatment of infections caused by VRE. However, further studies are required to assess their clinical impact, especially in the treatment of serious infections.