Final answer:
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is not easy to eliminate once established, as it spreads through contact in healthcare settings and shows resistance due to structural changes in its cell wall. Infection control measures and alternative antibiotics like linezolid are necessary for management.
Step-by-step explanation:
Once vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) is established, it is not relatively easy to get rid of them. VRE can be transmitted within healthcare environments, spread between patients through contact with healthcare workers, surfaces, or medical equipment that has not been adequately sterilized. The resistance occurs due to a target modification involving a change in the structure of the peptidoglycan subunits of their cell walls, which prevents vancomycin from effectively binding and inhibiting the bacteria.
Managing VRE involves employing stringent infection control measures, including the use of barrier precautions (such as gloves and gowns), proper hand hygiene, and the environmental cleaning of surfaces. In terms of treatment, antibiotics that are still effective against VRE, such as linezolid, may be used. Additionally, the presence of VRE poses significant challenges within clinical settings and requires rapid identification and implementation of appropriate procedures to limit its spread.