Characterization of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium Isolated from Fresh Produces and Human Fecal Samples

Min Chan Kim, Min Hyeok Cha, Jae Gee Ryu, Gun Jo Woo

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

10 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Increased enterococcal infections in hospitals and multidrug-resistant and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) isolated from humans, animals, and food sources raised public health concern on the presence of VRE in multiple sources. We performed a comparative analysis of the antimicrobial resistance and genetics of VRE isolates derived from fresh produce and human fecal samples. Of 389 Enterococcus isolates, 8 fecal and 3 produce isolates were resistant to vancomycin and teicoplanin; all harbored vanA gene. The VRE isolates showed multidrug-resistant properties. The isolates from fresh produce in this study showed to have the common shared characteristics with the isolates from humans by the results of antimicrobial resistance, multilocus sequence typing, and Tn 1546 transposon analysis. Therefore, VRE isolates from fresh produce are likely related to VRE derived from humans. The results suggested that VRE may contaminate vegetables through the environment, and the contaminated vegetables could then act as a vehicle for human infections. Ongoing nationwide surveillance of antibiotic resistance and the promotion of the proper use of antibiotics are necessary.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)195-201
Number of pages7
JournalFoodborne Pathogens and Disease
Volume14
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2017 Apr 1

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Rural Development Administration (PJ00758504, PJ010500

Publisher Copyright:
© Copyright 2017, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2017.

Keywords

  • Enterococcus
  • Fresh produces
  • antimicrobial resistance

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Food Science
  • Microbiology
  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Animal Science and Zoology

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