Table 3.
Frequency, mean bacterial burden, and odds ratios for transmission to HCWs’ gloves and gowns by VRE species and patient sample type
| Patient sample type | VRE species* | n/Total (%) | Mean burden† (95% CI) | OR (95% CI) for transmission to HCWs‡ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perianal | E. faecium | 49/59 (83%) | 3.92 (3.30, 4.55) | 1.98 (0.53, 7.41) |
| E. faecalis | 10/59 (17%) | 1.52 (0.16, 2.89) | Reference | |
| Stool | E. faecium | 36/40 (90%) | 7.09 (6.49, 7.69) | 1.61 (0.37, 6.89) |
| E. faecalis | 4/40 (10%) | 5.53 (3.72, 7.34) | Reference | |
| Skin | E. facecium | 26/31 (84%) | 1.68 (1.31, 2.06) | 9.32 (1.32, 66.03) |
| E. faecalis | 5/31 (16%) | 0.72 (−0.13, 1.57) | Reference |
Abbreviations: CFU, colony forming units; CI, confidence interval; CM, centimeter; HCW, healthcare worker; mL, milliliter; n, number; OR, odds ratio; and VRE, vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.
*
Other species not listed were identified as E. avium and E. casseliflavus
†
Perianal and stool bacterial loads are expressed in Log10 CFU/mL. Skin bacterial load is expressed in Log10 CFU/cm2
‡
Adjusted for bacterial burden found in that sample