Antibiotic resistance and genotypic characterization by PFGE of clinical and environmental isolates of enterococci

Abstract

Fifty-four Enterococcus faecalis and 20 Enterococcus faecium isolates from clinical and non-human sources in Rome, Italy, were characterized by antibiotic resistance and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Resistance to vancomycin, teicoplanin, ampicillin, and ciprofloxacin was more frequent in E. faecium than in E. faecalis, whereas high-level resistance to aminoglycoside was found primarily in E. faecalis. Multi-resistance was found primarily among clinical isolates, but was also observed among environmental isolates. Common genotypes shared among clinical and environmental isolates were observed, however, the majority of isolates occurred as unique, source-specific clones. Several PFGE types were associated with shared features in their antibiotic resistance patterns; evidences of clonal spread between and within wards were also noted. This is the first report indicating clonal relatedness between human and environmental enterococci isolated in Italy.

Clonal Spread of a Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Strain among Bloodstream-Infecting Isolates in Italy

“…The use of molecular methods such as AFLP and PFGE has led to major advancements in the understanding of the epide- (3,8,30), and from hospital outbreaks (14,19,21,24). However, these methods often have proven too discriminatory to establish genetic relationships in a broader setting and to gain general insight about isolates from diverse areas and typed by different laboratories.…”

Isolation and Identification of Enterococci from Seawater Samples: Assessment of Their Resistance to Antibiotics and Heavy Metals

“…The significant increases of MAR (multiple-antibiotic-resistant) bacteria observed in various aquatic systems may be of significant importance of health since human infections caused by such organisms could be difficult to treat with drugs (Chandrasekaran, Venkatesh, Lalithakumari, 1998;De Vicente, Avilés, Codina, Borrego, & Romero, 1990;Dicuonzo et al, 2001;Lopes et al, 2005).…”

Antimicrobial resistance of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from meat

“…Their ability to survive in different environmental conditions, innate resistance to many antibiotics, and ability to acquire, accumulate, and transfer genetic determinants of resistance are reasons for their increased significance as human and animal pathogens (6,18,22,24,27). Many authors have indicated a possible transfer of the resistant enterococci from animals to humans via the food chain; however, opinions on this matter are divided (1,3,4,10,12,14,15,(18)(19)(20)(21)(22)(23)25). In Poland, there are no available data about the antimicrobial resistance of enterococci isolated from meat; therefore, the aim of the study was the evaluation of this phenotypic feature among strains of Enterococcus faecalis.…”