Vancomycin Resistance

Vancomycin resistance is a phenomenon affecting bacteria whereby they evolve mechanisms to survive exposures to a widely used antibiotic called vancomycin. Resistant bacteria can no longer be treated effectively with vancomycin and may require the use of alternative or additional antibiotics for successful treatment. Vancomycin resistance is significant for two reasons: first, it can lead to the development of severe, often life-threatening infections; and second, it increases the risk of antibiotic resistance spreading from one organism to another. Consequently, vancomycin resistance is a major public health concern. In order to prevent its development and spread, physicians must adhere scrupulously to prescribed antibiotic dosing regimens and use tests to determine patient susceptibility to vancomycin. Furthermore, it is important to thoroughly monitor the spread of resistance to ensure prompt interventions.