Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium bacteraemia in cancer patients

The purpose of this investigation was to compare the risk factors, clinical features and outcomes in cancer patients with bacteraemia caused by vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecalis and E. faecium. A retrospective, observational 7-year study was carried out in a 450-bed, acute-care university-affiliated hospital. We performed univariate comparisons between the two groups and then multivariate analysis to identify patient risk factors for E. faecium isolation. Seventy-three patients were included in the analysis: 54 (74.0%) with bacteraemia caused by E. faecalis and 19 (26.0%) by E. faecium. The Simplified Acute Physiological Score (SAPS) value was significantly greater in E. faecium isolates (40.7 vs. 35.2; p = 0.009). Diabetes mellitus was more frequently diagnosed in patients with E. faecium bacteraemia (52.6% vs. 24.1%; p = 0.021). Prior penicillin exposure was more frequent in patients with E. faecium bacteraemia (68.4% vs. 29.6%; p = 0.003). There was a trend toward higher mortality in E. faecium bacteraemia patients (47.4% vs. 25.9%; p = 0.084). Independent patient risk factors for E. faecium isolation were prior penicillin exposure (odds ratio [OR], 6.479; p = 0.003) and SAPS > 34 (OR, 6.896; p = 0.009). When compared to E. faecalis bacteraemia, E. faecium bacteraemia in cancer patients is independently associated with more severe illness and prior use of penicillins; therefore, empiric treatment which would cover E. faecium should be considered in cancer patients suspected of having bacteraemia.