The rise in vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium in Germany: data from the German Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (ARS)

Proportions of vancomycin resistance in clinical E. faecium isolates from German hospitals are increasing underlining the growing significance of E. faecium infections for public health. VREF proportions differ considerable among German regions with a particular focus of high vancomycin resistance in Southwest and Southeast Germany. Continued surveillance and implementation of effective infection prevention and control measures accounting for local resistance differences are needed to reduce the spread of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium in German hospitals.