Therapeutic Options for Infections Due to vanB Genotype Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci
Niccolò Riccardi, Jacopo Monticelli, Roberta Maria Antonello, Gustavo Di Lallo, Domenico Frezza, Roberto Luzzati, Stefano Di Bella
Abstract
Enterococci are ubiquitous, facultative, anaerobic Gram-positive bacteria that mainly reside, as part of the normal microbiota, in the gastrointestinal tracts of several animal species, including humans. These bacteria have the capability to turn from a normal gut commensal organism to an invasive pathogen in patients debilitated by prolonged hospitalization, concurrent illnesses, and/or exposed to broad-spectrum antibiotics. The majority of vancomycin-resistant enterococcus (VRE) infections are linked to the vanA genotype; however, outbreaks caused by vanB-type VREs have been increasingly reported, representing a new challenge for effective antimicrobial treatment. Teicoplanin, daptomycin, fosfomycin, and linezolid are useful antimicrobials for infections due to vanB enterococci. In addition, new drugs have been developed ( e.g ., dalbavancin, telavancin, and tedizolid), new molecules will soon be available ( e.g ., eravacycline, omadacycline, and oritavancin), and new treatment strategies are progressively being used in clinical practice ( e.g ., combination therapies and bacteriophages). The aim of this article is to discuss the pathogenesis of infections due to enterococci harboring the vanB operon (vanBVRE) and their therapeutic, state-of-the-art, and future treatment options and provide a comprehensive and easy to use review for clinical purposes.