Fecal Carriage of VRE in Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: VRE have emerged as significant nosocomial pathogens, with gastrointestinal colonization serving as a potential source for invasive infections, particularly in critically ill patients. Objective: This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the fecal carriage rate of VRE among patients admitted in surgical ICU for >48 hrs. Methods: Rectal swabs were collected and processed in MacConkey agar. Enterococci were identified using colony morphology and conventional identification tests. VRE screening was performed using Vancomycin screen agar (6 µg/mL). Results: Among 80 patients screened, 7 (8.75%) tested positive for VRE. Risk factors identified among colonized individuals included prolonged hospital stay, abdominal surgery, and prior use of antibiotics such as Piperacillin-tazobactam, Metronidazole, Ceftriaxone, and Amikacin. Conclusion: The study highlights a moderate prevalence of VRE colonization in the surgical ICU setting and emphasizes the need for routine screening, risk-based surveillance, and strict infection control practices to prevent the spread of VRE within healthcare facilities.