review · BMC Infectious Diseases
This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the pooled prevalence of Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) and their antimicrobial resistance profiles in Ethiopia. Analysing twenty studies published up to June 2019, which included 831 enterococci and 71 VRE isolates, the research found a pooled VRE prevalence of 14.8%. Enterococci also exhibited high resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics such as Penicillin, Amoxicillin, Doxycycline, and Tetracycline, with resistance rates exceeding 50%. While resistance to Daptomycin and Linezolid was lower, their emergence is noted as a concern. The overall multidrug resistance rate for enterococci was 60.0%.
The rising prevalence of Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) and multidrug-resistant bacteria poses a significant public health threat. These infections are harder to treat, leading to prolonged illness, increased healthcare costs, and potentially higher mortality rates, highlighting an urgent need for effective control strategies.
This research identifies a critical public health challenge, indicating a need for improved diagnostic tools to detect VRE and other resistant enterococci. It also highlights the ongoing demand for the development of new antimicrobial treatments, particularly given the emergence of resistance to last-resort drugs like Daptomycin and Linezolid. The findings could inform public health programmes and antimicrobial stewardship initiatives, representing early-stage research identifying a problem rather than offering a direct commercial solution.
AI-generated from the published abstract. Always read the original work before citing.
Abstract Background The emergence of Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) poses a major public health problem since it was first reported. Although the rising rates of VRE infections are being reported elsewhere in the worldwide; there is limited national pooled data in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of VRE and antimicrobial resistance profiles of enterococci in Ethiopia. Methods Literature search was done at PubMed, EMBASE, Google scholar, African Journals online (AJOL) and Addis Ababa University repository following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Both published and unpublished studies reporting the prevalence of VRE until June 30, 2019 were included. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and copied to Comprehensive Meta-analysis (CMA 2.0) for analysis. Pooled estimate of VRE was computed using the random effects model and the 95% CIs. The level of heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q and I 2 tests. Publication bias was checked by visual inspection of funnel plots and Begg’s and/or Egger’s test. Results Twenty studies fulfilled the eligibility criteria and found with relevant data. A total of 831 enterococci and 71 VRE isolates were included in the analysis. The pooled prevalence of VRE was 14.8% (95% CI; 8.7–24.3; I 2 = 74.05%; P < 0.001). Compared to vancomycin resistance, enterococci had higher rate of resistance to Penicillin (60.7%), Amoxicillin (56.5%), Doxycycline (55.1%) and Tetracycline (53.7%). Relatively low rate of resistance was found for Daptomycin and Linezolid with a pooled estimate of 3.2% (95% CI, 0.5–19.7%) and 9.9% (95% CI, 2.8–29.0%); respectively. The overall pooled multidrug resistance (MDR) rate of enterococci was 60.0% (95% CI, 42.9–75.0%). Conclusion The prevalence of VRE and drug resistant enterococci are on the rise in Ethiopia. Enterococcal isolates showed resistance to one or more of the commonly prescribed drugs in different or the same drug lines. Multidrug resistant (MDR) enterococci were also found. Although the rates were low, the emergence of resistance to Daptomycin and Linezolid is an alarm for searching new ways for the treatment and control of VRE infections. Adherence to antimicrobial stewardship, comprehensive testing and ongoing monitoring of VRE infections in the health care settings are required.
This page summarises published work. The authoritative version sits with the publisher.
DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-4833-2
Is something wrong with this record? Report it or request removal.
Discussion
Have you built on this work, tried to replicate it, or seen it applied in practice? Share what you know. Verified researchers and MARATTO™ domain experts can open a discussion, and any member can reply. Contributions are reviewed before they appear.
No discussion yet. Open the first thread.
New to MARATTO™? Create a free account.
