In the high-risk population of non-traumatic SAH, the use of AIC delays the occurrence of infection compared with that reported with non-antibiotic-impregnated catheters. This may orient management strategies in SAH patients requiring a ventriculostomy.
We investigated the use of PCR as an alternative to culture of fecal samples for detection of vanA-containingEnterococcus faecium during a recent hospital outbreak. Rectal swabs collected consecutively from 223 patients were analyzed by culture with and without enrichment broth and byvanA-specific PCR of enrichment broth samples. Fifty-five specimens were positive for vanA-containing E. faecium by at least one method. The sensitivities of thevanA-specific PCR assay and agar culture with and without enrichment broth were 94.5, 98, and 89%, respectively. All three methods were 100% specific. Final results were obtained much more rapidly by PCR (within 24 to 30 h of specimen submission) than by the culture methods (4 to 5 days). Thus, PCR is an accurate and rapid alternative to culture for detection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci during hospital outbreaks.
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