Cross-transmission of clinicalEnterococcus faeciumin relation toespand antibiotic resistance

Abstract

Aims: To investigate clonality among clinical Enterococcus faecium isolates and normal intestinal microflora isolates as well as cross‐transmission between patients in relation to the presence of the esp gene and antibiotic resistance. Methods and Results: Blood‐culture isolates (n = 101) deriving from tertiary, secondary and primary hospitals were analysed. Antibiotic susceptibility was investigated. Polymerase chain reaction and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis were used for detection of esp and genotyping, respectively. Nearly half (43%) of the patients included were involved in a cross‐transmission event with Ent. faecium. These strains disseminated both within and between all hospitals. The antibiotic resistance and presence of esp were highest in isolates from the tertiary hospital. Isolates harbouring esp showed less genetic diversity compared with esp negative ones. Conclusions: Cross‐transmission with Ent. faecium between patients was readily detected, indicating that hospital‐adapted clones circulate within and between hospitals. Acquired characteristics, such as antibiotic resistance and esp, seem to accumulate in the isolates disseminating in the tertiary hospital. Significance and Impact of the Study: It is important to characterize Ent. faecium isolates causing infections and to determine the extent of dissemination in order to prevent further spread of these pathogens.

Vaginal Colonization and Susceptibility to Antibiotics of Enterococci During Late Pregnancy in Kerman City, Iran

“…In other studies, Enterococcusfaecalis was 85% (the most prevalent species), followed by E. faecium, which is the most common human pathogenic isolate (10,25,26). Enterococcus faecium has become increasingly prevalent in hospital-acquired infections (25).…”

“…Enterococcus faecium has become increasingly prevalent in hospital-acquired infections (25). All other enterococcal species together constitute less than 5% of enterococcal infections (10,25). In this study antimicrobial resistance pattern was indicated for enterococci with four antibiotics.…”

“…The Enterococcus genus has many species of which E. faecalis and E. faecium still account for the majority of human infections (9)(10)(11)(12). Recent studies have shown a significant increase in the isolation of more unusual species such as E. durans, E. hirae, E. gallinarum and E. casseliflavus from clinical samples (12)(13)(14).…”

Potential for nosocomial transmission of Enterococcus faecalis from surfaces in dental operatories

“…, Billström et al . ). The possibility for transmission is increased by the robust nature of the microorganism, resisting desiccation for weeks or even up to months (Howie et al .…”

Frequent occurrence of multidrug-resistant CC17Enterococcus faeciumamong clinical isolates in Sweden

“…2002), and recent studies indicate that Ent. faecium causing infections are often of non‐endogenous origin (Billström et al. 2008b; Lester et al.…”