How to get rid of enterobacter from a hospital?

Answer 1

Enterobacter is a genus of common Gram-negative, facultatively-anaerobic, rod-shaped bacteria of the family Enterobacteriaceae. Several strains of the these bacteria are pathogenic and cause opportunistic infections in immunocompromised (usually hospitalized) hosts. The urinary and respiratory tract are the most common sites of infection. Enterobacter can be distinguished from other GNR by virtue of being a 'fast fermenter' of lactose (as are E. coli and Klebsiella).
Two clinically-important species from this genus are E. aerogenes and E. cloacae.
Enterobacter species have a global presence in both adult and neonatal ICUs.
Prevention:
When hospital (ICU) outbreaks of Enterobacter infections occur, isolation and barrier protection should be implemented. Isolation precautions should also be implemented when a multidrug-resistant organism is isolated.
Hand washing or use of alcohol or other disinfecting hand gels by health care workers between contacts with patients prevents transmission of these and other nosocomial bacteria. This is particularly true in ICUs.
Prior antibiotic administration is a major factor for colonization and secondary infections with these multiple-antibiotic–resistant organisms. Clinicians are well advised to avoid unnecessary administration of antimicrobial agents or to avoid unnecessary prolonged administration. For surgical prophylaxis, administration of antibiotics for longer than 24 hours rarely is justifiable.
Education programs for physicians and hospital personnel regarding risk reduction for transmission of Enterobacter species and other nosocomial pathogens should be implemented in every hospital. This is usually the responsibility of the infection control team.
Please see the webpages for more details on Enterobacter.

Answer 2

The fact being this bacteria as part of the normal flora of the human intestinal tract yet its several species cause nosocomial opportunistic infections, makes it quite difficult to get rid of it. But there are many ways to avoid infection from it.

Thorough and religious hand washing is a very important way to prevent Enterobacter infection. Excellent practice of infection control is mandatory. Strict asepsis practice is obligatory giving more care o those immunocompromised patients.

The use of first, second or third generation cephalosporins are discouraged as they are often ineffective, and resistance commonly appears, especially in units where cross-infection is common thus giving way for Enterobacter infection.Carbapenems are at present probably the treatment of choice, although cefepime may be used.♥

Answer 3

One of the last major Antibiotics to have some effect in the Enterobacter is called Vancomycin, however this has side effects, it is in use in the UK anyway.

There also exists an organism called VRE, vancomycin resistant
enterobacter, It is resistant to Vancomysin, there is not a readily
available treatment for this, new drugs are being tested.

Some extra info: Enterobacter species are gram negative bacilli, which are intrinsically resistant to vancomycin, whereas enterococci are gram-positive cocci!!!!
There is a big difference in these organisms, and treatment of the two is quite different.

But haven't reach a final conclusion yet!
Sorry!!!

Answer 4

OK, I have to plead ignorance. What is a
enterobacter????