Antibiotic Resistance Evolution

Superbugs in Greek Hospitals: What You Need to Know About Antibiotic Resistance

Kai Mendoza in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 3 min read.

"A new study reveals the latest trends in glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) and their susceptibility to common antibiotics in a Greek hospital, highlighting the growing threat of antibiotic resistance."

Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health crisis, and the emergence of resistant bacteria in hospitals is a major concern. Among these “superbugs,” glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) pose a significant threat, limiting treatment options for vulnerable patients. Understanding the trends in antibiotic resistance is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat these infections.

A recent study investigated the antibiotic susceptibility of GRE isolates in a tertiary hospital in Greece. Glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) were first reported in Europe in 1988 and have since been implicated as causative pathogens in nosocomial infections worldwide. The study focused on how well common antibiotics like linezolid, quinupristin/dalfopristin, tigecycline, and daptomycin worked against these resistant bacteria.

This article breaks down the study’s findings, explaining the implications for patient care, infection control, and the ongoing fight against antibiotic resistance.

GRE Resistance: A Snapshot from a Greek Hospital

The study, conducted at the University General Hospital of Heraklion in Crete, Greece, examined 70 consecutive GRE isolates. Of these, 62 were identified as Enterococcus faecium (88.6%), and 8 as Enterococcus faecalis (11.4%). The findings provide a glimpse into the current landscape of antibiotic resistance in this specific hospital setting.

Key findings revealed:

Linezolid and Daptomycin: All GRE strains remained susceptible to linezolid and daptomycin, offering valuable treatment options.
Quinupristin/Dalfopristin: Resistance was observed in 17.1% of the isolates. Specifically, all Enterococcus faecalis isolates showed resistance.
Tigecycline: 11.4% of the isolates were resistant. All Enterococcus faecalis isolates were susceptible to Tigecycline.

These results highlight the varying levels of resistance to different antibiotics and underscore the importance of ongoing surveillance to track these trends. The species-specific resistance patterns also emphasize the need for accurate identification of Enterococcus species in clinical settings.

Why This Matters: The Bigger Picture of Antibiotic Resistance

The emergence and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria like GRE pose a significant threat to public health. These infections are more difficult and costly to treat, leading to longer hospital stays, increased morbidity, and higher mortality rates.

The study emphasizes the critical need for:

<ul><li>Judicious Antibiotic Use: Promoting responsible antibiotic prescribing practices to slow down the development of resistance.</li><li>Infection Control Measures: Implementing strict hygiene protocols in hospitals and healthcare settings to prevent the spread of resistant organisms.</li><li>Continued Surveillance: Monitoring antibiotic susceptibility patterns to detect emerging resistance and guide treatment strategies.</li></ul>

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3947/ic.2014.46.4.253, Alternate LINK

Title: Susceptibility Of Glycopeptide-Resistant Enterococci To Linezolid, Quinupristin/Dalfopristin, Tigecycline And Daptomycin In A Tertiary Greek Hospital

Subject: Pharmacology (medical)

Journal: Infection & Chemotherapy

Publisher: Korean Society of Infectious Diseases and Korean Society for Chemotherapy

Authors: Sofia Maraki, George Samonis, Dimitra Dimopoulou, Elpis Mantadakis

Published: 2014-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly are Glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE)?

Glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) are bacteria that have developed resistance to glycopeptide antibiotics, a class of drugs often used to treat serious infections. This resistance makes infections caused by GRE more difficult to treat, as the available treatment options are limited. The study shows that GRE poses a significant threat by limiting treatment options for vulnerable patients in hospitals.

Why is the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria like GRE so significant?

The significance of the study is the growing threat of antibiotic resistance, particularly within healthcare settings like hospitals. This resistance makes infections more difficult and costly to treat, potentially leading to longer hospital stays, increased illness, and a higher risk of death. The study underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance to track antibiotic resistance trends and inform effective treatment strategies.

What were the key findings of the study regarding antibiotic resistance?

The study found that all the Glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) strains in the Greek hospital were susceptible to linezolid and daptomycin. However, resistance was observed to quinupristin/dalfopristin (17.1% of isolates) and tigecycline (11.4% of isolates). The resistance patterns varied between Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, highlighting the need for accurate species identification.

What was the scope of the study, including the specific bacteria investigated?

The study included 70 Glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) isolates from the University General Hospital of Heraklion in Crete, Greece. Of these, the majority were identified as Enterococcus faecium (88.6%), and the remaining were Enterococcus faecalis (11.4%). This breakdown is important because different species can exhibit varying levels of resistance to the same antibiotics.

What are the broader implications of this study's findings?

The implications of the study are far-reaching. The findings emphasize the need for careful patient care to prevent the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms and highlight the need for continuous monitoring of antibiotic resistance patterns within hospitals. The study also stresses the importance of accurate bacterial identification in clinical settings. Understanding the trends in antibiotic resistance is crucial for developing effective strategies to combat these infections and improve patient outcomes.