Evaluation of Prevalence and Antibiotic Resistance in Enterococci Samples Isolated from Vaginal Swabs

Enterococci are normal flora in the human intestinal tract and vagina and are growing its importance as hospital-acquired pathogen. E. faecalis and E. faecium are two predominant speices causing infection. The aim of this study was to investigate on prevalence of enterococus and its antibiotic resistance in isolated samples from vagina. Isolates samples were obtained from women with spontaneous abortions (n=198) and were identified to the genus and species level by cultural characteristics and biochemical tests. The susceptibility of the isolates samples to antibiotic drugs was determind by the Kirby-Bauer Disk Diffusion Susceptibility Test Protocol. From all of the specimens, 128 cases confirmed as Enterococcus. (63.2%) and (35.1%) strains were Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium, respectively. All of the isolates samples were susceptible to imipenem and resisrant to oxacilin. Resistance of the isolates samples to antibiotics were as follows: vancomycin (3.1%), tecoplanin (18.2%), ciprofloxacin (11.1%), chloramphenicol (15/8%), erythromycin (63.4%), Cefotaxime (36.6%), gentamicine (29.3%).Discussion & In examined cases from this research, enterococcus was detected in 63.2% of cases. Given that the presence of these bacteria in the vaginal flora of 20% as reported, the results of this study are more than expected. Since all samples were sensitive to imipenem, it is recommended that it be used for treatment.