Vancomycin-resistant enterococci isolated in tertiary care in Southern Thailand: Prevalence and characterization of biofilm formation

Abstract Introduction Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are important causative agents of healthcare-associated infections. This study investigated the prevalence of VRE isolates of clinical specimens from a tertiary hospital in Southern Thailand and their biofilm formation and associated virulence factors. Methods This retrospective study was conducted from February 2011 to March 2021 at a 1,000-bed tertiary care hospital in Songkhla Province in Southern Thailand. Results In total, 95 VRE isolates were collected. Urine had the highest VRE prevalence (38%), followed by pus or secretions (23%) and the digestive tract (19%). VRE infections were most common in medical (45%) and surgical wards (19%). VRE strains were equally resistant (85–100%) to the six classes of antibiotics commonly used in a tertiary care hospital. Biofilms were produced by 73% of the multidrug-resistant strains; however, 93% of VRE isolates lacking hyl were highly capable of producing biofilms. Conclusions No relationship was observed between virulence genes and biofilm formation. Thus, efforts to establish appropriate treatment and control measures are necessary, as distinctive VRE characteristics are relevant to the treatment of enterococcal infections in hospitals.