Evaluation of chromogenic media in detection of vancomycin resistant enterococci.

Introduction: Vancomycin resistant Enterococci have become important nosocomial pathogens. So it is necessary to monitor continuously such infections in the hospitals.

Materials And Methods: A total of 100 Enterococci isolated from 4489 various clinical samples were speciated and antibiogram was done according to standard laboratory methods. The efficacy of CHROMagar(TM) VRE (France) and Hicrome VRE (Himedia) in detecting VRE was evaluated using E- test (Himedia).

Results: Hicrome VRE and CHROMagar(TM) VRE showed sensitivity of 100% and specificity of 99% as compared to E-test.

Conclusion: In the present study VRE was not isolated. Prudent use of vancomycin and continuous surveillance for VRE will prevent the emergence of vancomycin resistant Enterococci in the locality in future. Identification of VRE by chromogenic media is rapid, easy to perform, cost effective compared to technically demanding, time consuming and costly conventional method.