Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus infection in the hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient : an overview of epidemiology

Vancomycin-resistant (VRE) is now one of the leading enterococcus causes of nosocomial infections in the United States. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients are at increased risk of VRE colonization and infection. VRE has emerged as a major cause of bacteremia in this population, raising important clinical questions regarding the role and impact of VRE colonization and infection in HSCT outcomes as well as the optimal means of prevention and treatment. We review here the published literature and scientific advances addressing these thorny issues and provide a rational framework for their approach.