Chenoweth C, Schaberg D
Department of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor 48105.
Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 1990 Feb;9(2):80-9. doi: 10.1007/BF01963631.
The enterococci are emerging as a significant cause of nosocomial infections, accounting for approximately 10% of hospital acquired infections. They are found as normal inhabitants of the human gastrointestinal tract, but may also colonize the oropharynx, vagina, perineal region and soft tissue wounds of asymptomatic patients. Until recently, evidence indicated that most enterococcal infections arose from patients' own endogenous flora. Recent studies, however, suggest that exogenous acquisition may occur and that person-to-person spread, probably on the hands of medical personnel, may be a significant mode of transmission of resistant enterococci within the hospital. The use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, especially cephalosporins, is another major factor in the increasing incidence of enterococcal infections. These findings suggest that barrier precautions, as applied with other resistant nosocomial pathogens, along with more judicial use of antibiotics may be beneficial in preventing nosocomial spread of resistant enterococci.
肠球菌正逐渐成为医院感染的一个重要原因，约占医院获得性感染的10%。它们是人类胃肠道的正常寄居菌，但也可在无症状患者的口咽部、阴道、会阴区域和软组织伤口处定植。直到最近，有证据表明大多数肠球菌感染源于患者自身的内源性菌群。然而，最近的研究表明可能发生外源性感染，而且人与人之间的传播，可能是通过医务人员的手，可能是医院内耐药肠球菌的一种重要传播方式。使用广谱抗生素，尤其是头孢菌素，是肠球菌感染发病率增加的另一个主要因素。这些发现表明，与其他耐药医院病原体一样采取屏障预防措施，以及更合理地使用抗生素，可能有助于预防耐药肠球菌在医院内的传播。
