Recurrent vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus bacteremia: Prevalence, predisposing factors, and strain relatedness

Abstract

We studied the prevalence of recurrent vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) bacteremia, predisposing factors, and strain relatedness during a 3 year period at our institution. Of 36 inpatients who had episodes of bacteremia, 3 (8.3%) had recurrent episodes. Predisposing factors were mucositis and neutropenia (1 patient) and chronic renal failure requiring hemodialysis (2). Recurrent episodes separated by ≤3 months were caused by indentical or related strains, and those at greater intervals by distinct strains. Recurrent VRE bacteremia is uncommon.