Objective    To evaluate the colonization and infection of vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) in hospital and the intervention effect.     Methods    Data were collected from patients with colonization or infection of VRE from January 2005 to December 2009. The prospective study was conducted

and the risk factors were analyzed. Besides

the intervention effect was evaluated.     Results    Overall 34 patients with VRE were diagnosed. They were distributed over 17 wards

especially in ICU and geriatric wards (24/34

70.6%). Among the patients with VRE

25 cases were more than 65 years old

and all the patients got at least one risk factor for colonization and infection of VRE. The main sources of VRE were urine (14/34)

blood (7/34)

rectal swab (6/34) and surgical site (5/34). Among the patients

28 cases were diagnosed as VRE infection and 6 cases as colonization. Drug-resistant strains with phenotype VanA and Enterococcus faecium were found in 24 cases and 28 cases

respectively. All the VRE strains were resistant to glycopeptides but sensitive to linezolid (100%). The 28 patients with VRE infection were treated with linezolid

with an effective treatment rate of 75.0% (21/28). The mortality and attributable mortality of the 34 patients were 32.4% and 23.5%

respectively. No horizontal transmission of VRE was found in hospital.     Conclusion    Colonization and infection of VRE are both related to high mortality. Being elderly

administration of antibiotics within 6 months before admission

indwelling ureter

central venous catheter

etc. may be the main risk factors for colonization and infection of VRE. All the VRE strains are resistant to glycopeptides but sensitive to linezolid. Infection control measures

especially contact isolation

must be put into practice and supervised.