COMPREHENSIVE PHENOTYPIC AND GENOTYPIC CHARACTERIZATION OF VANCOMYCIN-RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCI FROM CLINICAL SPECIMENS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Background: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) is an important healthcare-associated pathogen with limitedtherapeutic options. This study evaluated the occurrence and molecular characteristics of VRE among clinical Enterococcusisolates. Materials and Methods: A total of 400 clinical specimens were processed, from which 58 Enterococcus isolateswere recovered. Species identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing were performed, followed by detection ofvancomycin resistance. VRE isolates were further characterized molecularly for vanA and vanB genes using real-time PCR.Results: Among 400 clinical specimens, urine was the predominant specimen (55.0%). Enterococcus spp. accounted for 58(14.5%) bacterial isolates, with urine being the major source (58.6%). Males constituted 58.6% of Enterococcus-positivepatients. Seven of 58 isolates (12.1%) were identified as VRE. VRE was more frequent among E. faecium (5/25; 20.0%)than E. faecalis (2/31; 6.5%). Molecular analysis detected vanA in 6 (85.7%) and vanB in 2 (28.6%) VRE isolates.Conclusion: The study demonstrated a notable burden of VRE, with E. faecium showing greater vancomycin resistance andvanA being the predominant resistance determinant. Routine surveillance, molecular characterization, antimicrobialstewardship and strict infection-control measures are essential to limit VRE transmission