Chlorhexidine Exerts Selective Pressure on Daptomycin Susceptibility in VRE

Bacterial exposure to the in vivo milieu can reduce daptomycin susceptibility absent use of antibiotics.

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE) is problematic when intrinsic resistance and host immunocompromise have produced deep-seated or endovascular infection. Acquired resistance to antibiotics like daptomycin and linezolid may render treatment of these infections insurmountable. Antimicrobial stewardship is aimed at limiting the use of many antibiotics, like daptomycin, to slow resistance development.

These researchers demonstrate that the selective pressures that drive antibiotic resistance are more complicated than use and exposure to specific antibiotics. They serially exposed VRE in vitro to incrementally higher chlorhexidine concentrations; this cationic antiseptic is ubiquitous in healthcare settings and exerts its antibacter…

Reviewing Author

George Sakoulas, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardParatek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.; AbbVie; Shionogi

Speaker’s BureauAllergan/AbbVie; Paratek Pharmaceuticals; Nestle Corp.

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Editorial BoardsAntimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy; Open Forum Infectious Diseases