Vancomütsiinresistentse

vancomütsiinresistentse is a term used to describe bacterial strains that have developed resistance to vancomycin, a glycopeptide antibiotic commonly employed to treat severe Gram‑positive infections, including those caused by methicillin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and certain enterococci. The phenomenon is most frequently associated with Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis, known collectively as vancomycin‑resistant enterococci (VRE), although vancomycin‑resistant Staphylococcus aureus (VRSA) and vancomycin‑resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae have also been reported. Resistance arises when bacteria acquire the vanA or vanB gene clusters, which encode altered D‑alanine‑D‑alanine peptidoglycan precursors; these modified substrates reduce vancomycin binding affinity, allowing the organism to grow in its presence. Additional mechanisms can involve overproduction of cell‑wall precursors or efflux pumps, though these are less common.

Clinically, vancomütsiinresistentse infections are associated with higher morbidity, limited therapeutic options, and increased health‑care costs. Treatment relies on alternative agents such as linezolid, daptomycin, or quinupristin/dalfopristin, depending on the organism and site of infection. Infection control measures—including stringent hand hygiene, isolation of colonized patients, and environmental cleaning—are critical to limiting cross‑transmission, especially in intensive care units and long‑term care facilities. Surveillance programs that detect resistance genes and monitor antibiotic usage are integral components of stewardship strategies aimed at curbing the spread of vancomütsiinresistentse pathogens.