Prevalence, risk factors, and molecular analysis of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci colonization in a referral neonatal intensive care unit: a prospective study in northern Iran.

Objectives: Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) is an emerging drug-resistant organism responsible for increasing nosocomial infections. Few data are available on the epidemiology of VRE colonization or infection in neonates, and is of recent interest. This study analyzes the prevalence of neonatal VRE colonization in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and describes risk factors and molecular phenotypes associated with VRE colonization.