Background: Drug resistant enterococci have emerged as nosocomial pathogens over the last decade all over the world. Now they can also be significant pathogens, causing community and hospital acquired infections. To our knowledge there is no available data related to prevalence, resistance pattern and virulence factors of Enterococci in pediatric patients in Ethiopia.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to determine prevalence and phenotypic characterization of Enterococcus species isolated from clinical samples of pediatric patients in Jimma University Specialized Hospital, Southwest Ethiopia

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 403 pediatric patients under fifteen years of age recruited by consecutive sampling, from April 1 to September 30/2016 at Jimma University Specialized Hospital. Different clinical samples were obtained and questionnaire-based face to face interviews were conducted with guardian of the children. Enterococcal isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were done using standard bacteriological procedures. The isolates were characterized phenotypically for possession of some virulence factor. Data was analyzed by using SPSS software version 16.0.

Results: The overall prevalence of Enterococci was 5.5% (22/403) of which 5 (22.7%) were vancomycin resistant Enterococcus. Haemolysin and gelatinase production was seen among 45.5% and 68.2% isolates respectively, while 77.3% isolates formed biofilm. The overall rate of resistance was 21 (95.5%). High resistance was observed to norfloxacin (87.5%), streptomycin (86.4%), gentamicin and tetracycline (77.3%) and low resistance (36.5%) was observed to ciprofloxacin. Eighteen (80.8%) of the isolates were multi-drug resistant.

Conclusion and recommendation: This study revealed high prevalence of Enterococci and vancomycin resistance strains as well as their virulence factor. Length of current hospitalization was associated with vancomycin resistant Enterococcus infection. Therefore, timely monitoring and early detection of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus, knowing virulent strains, rational use of antibiotics and adherence to infection control practice will help in preventing the establishment and spread of multidrug resistant Enterococcus species among the communities.

Key words: Prevalence, Enterococcus species, VRE, virulence factor, resistance, pediatrics