Factors associated with vancomycin-resistant enterococci colonization in a pediatric intensive care unit of Paraguay: A cross-sectional study on hospital charts

Introduction Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) infections have become widespread and a challenge in hospitalized patients. The threat of infection by intractable enterococci and the possibility that vancomycin resistance could involve pneumococci or staphylococci advocate for careful surveillance of resistant strains. Objective To determine the risk factors associated with VRE colonization in pediatric patients admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Carc Unit (PICU) in the period between January 2012 and June 2013. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study analyzing the clinical histories of 140 patients admitted to the PICU (children from 1 month to 18 years), who underwent rectal swab cultures within 48 hours of admission. We calculated the odds ratios and confidence intervals of the risk factors for VRE colonization in thc PICU, and then we used multiple logistic regression for the statistically significant variables. Results VRE colonization was present in 18.6% of patients. The following were identified as risk factors associated to VRE colonization: hospitalization during the previous year (odds ratio: 10.8, 95% confidence interval: 2.43 to 47.8; p = 0.001), prior use of one broad-spectrum antibiotic (odds ratio: 5.05; 95% confidence interval: 2.04 to 12.5; p = 0.000), use of two or more broad-spectrum antibiotics in the last year (odds ratio: 5.4, 95% confidence interval: 1.5 to 18.4; p = 0.009), prior hospitalization in the risk area (odds ratio: 4.91, 95% confidence interval: 1.83 to 13.2; p = 0.000), hospitalization for more than five days in high-risk area (odds ratio: 5.64, 95% confidence interval: 2.18 to 14.6; p = 0.000), and use of immunosupprcssant drugs (odds ratio: 4.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.92 to 11.9; p = 0.001). In a logistic multiple regression the use of two or more broad-spectrum antibiotics (odds ratio: 4.81, 95% confidence interval: 1.01 to 22.8; p = 0.047) and the history of prior hospitalization in the last year (odds ratio: 7.84, 95% confidence interval: 1.24 to 49.32, p = 0.028) were identified as independent factors statistically associated with VRE colonization. Conclusion Pediatric patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit with a history of prior hospitalization in thc previous year, and exposure to two or more broad-spectrum antibiotics have a greater risk of colonization by vancomycin-resistant enterococcus.