Outbreak of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in Interventional Radiology: Detection Through Whole Genome Sequencing-Based Surveillance

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are a major cause of hospital-acquired infections. The risk of infection from interventional radiology (IR) procedures is not well documented. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) surveillance of clinical bacterial isolates among hospitalized patients can identify previously-unrecognized outbreaks.

We analyzed WGS surveillance data from November 2016 to November 2017 for evidence of VRE transmission at our hospital. A previously-unrecognized cluster of ten genetically-related VRE (Enterococcus faecium) infections was discovered. Electronic health record review identified IR procedures as a potential transmission route. An outbreak investigation was conducted, which included a matched case-control study.