Vancomycin resistant enterococci gut Colonization and its associated factors among HIV infected patients on anti-Retro viral therapy in Ethiopia

Abstract BackgroundThe emergence of vancomycin resistant Enterococci (VRE) has alarmed the global infectious diseases community due to its tendency for colonization of the gastrointestinal tract. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) patients are colonized by vancomycin resistant Enterococci than other groups. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of vancomycin resistant Enterococci gut colonization and its associated factors among HIV infected patients on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART).MethodsInstitution based cross sectional study was conducted among HIV infected patients on ART at from June 1 to August 30, 2020. Socio-demographic and clinical data were collected by pre-tested structured questionnaire. Stool sample was collected and processed by standard microbiological techniques. Kirby Bauer Disc diffusion method was used to perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing. Data were entered by Epi data version 4.6.0.2 and analyzed by SPSS version 25. P-value <0.05 was considered as significant.ResultsAmong a total of 200 study participants, colonization of Enterococci spp was isolated on 123 (61.50%) respondents. Among these isolates, the prevalence of vancomycin resistant Enterococci colonization was 11.4% [95% CI: (6.0-17.0)]. Enterococci isolates tested against commonly prescribed antibiotics showed highest rate of resistance to ampicillin (69.9%). Multidrug resistances were observed in 49.59% of Enterococci isolates. Study participants who had prior antibiotic exposure for more than two weeks [AOR=7.35; 95% CI: (1.2144.64)] and hospitalization in the last six months [AOR=5.68; 95% CI: (1.09 29.74)] were significantly associated with vancomycin resistant Enterococci gut colonization.ConclusionHigh prevalence of vancomycin resistant Enterococci gut colonization was found. Previous exposure to antibiotics for more than two weeks and previous hospitalization for more than six months were significant factors for vancomycin resistant Enterococci colonization. The isolated Enterococci had variable degrees of resistance to commonly prescribed antibiotics. Therefore, periodic surveillance on antimicrobial resistance pattern, adhering to rational use of antibiotics and implementing infection prevention protocols may reduce colonization by VRE.