Recurrent Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Bacteremia: Prevalence, Predisposing Factors, and Strain Relatedness.
Baran, Joseph Jr.; Riederer, Kathleen M.; Ramanathan, Jambunathan; Khatib, Riad
[Report] Clinical Infectious Diseases. 32(9):1381-1383, May 1, 2001.

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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 identical or related strains, and those at greater intervals by distinct strains. Recurrent VRE bacteremia is uncommon.

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