In: Biology
Vancomycin
a) The most common opportunistic infection(s) that result from taking the antibiotic
b) 1 example of resistance to this antibiotic in a clinical case
Answer a):
The most opportunistic infections that may result from taking the antibiotic Vancomycin are nosocomial infection with vancomycin-resistant intestinal flora.
Vancomycin treatment is required to remove MRSA - Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections, either skin or septicemia. Both need a longer duration of treatment with the drug which exposes the normal flora to this antibiotic for a long duration as well and results in some of these commensals acquiring resistance to this drug.
Answer b):
Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci (VRE)
Enterococci lactic acid bacteria and are gram-positive cocci that grow as diplococci or short chains. There are about 17 known species of Enterococci the most common being Enterococcus fecalis. In human and animal gut it is part of the normal flora, but has now emerged as one of the serious opportunistic pathogens. Excessive and indiscriminate use of antibiotics has resulted in an increase in multidrug-resistant opportunistic pathogens.