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Janice J, Wagner TM, Olsen K, Hegstad J, Hegstad K. Emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci from vancomycin-susceptible enterococci in hospitalized patients under antimicrobial therapy. J Glob Antimicrob Resist 2024; 36:116-122. [PMID: 38128726 DOI: 10.1016/j.jgar.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Enterococci are opportunistic pathogens with plastic genomes that evolve, acquire, and transmit antimicrobial-resistant determinants such as vancomycin resistance clusters. While vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have emerged as successful nosocomial pathogens, the mechanism by which vancomycin-susceptible enterococci (VSE) transform to VRE in hospitalized patients remains understudied. METHODS Genomes of Enterococcus faecium from two critically ill hospitalized patients subjected to multiple antibiotic therapies, including broad-spectrum antibiotics, were investigated. To identify mechanisms of resistance evolution, genomes of vancomycin-susceptible and -resistant isolates were compared. RESULTS While VSE isolates were initially identified, VRE strains emerged post-vancomycin therapy. Comparative genomics revealed horizontal transmission of mobile genetic elements containing the Tn1549 transposon, which harbours the vanB-type vancomycin resistance gene cluster. This suggests that broad-spectrum antibiotic stress promoted the transfer of resistance-conferring elements, presumably from another gut inhabitant. CONCLUSION This is one of the first studies investigating VSE and VRE isolates from the same patient. The mechanism of transmission and the within-patient evolution of vancomycin resistance via mobile genetic elements under antibiotic stress is illustrated. Our findings serve as a foundation for future studies building on this knowledge which can further elucidate the dynamics of antibiotic stress, resistance determinant transmission, and interactions within the gut microbiota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessin Janice
- Research Group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Theresa Maria Wagner
- Research Group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Karina Olsen
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Joachim Hegstad
- Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Kristin Hegstad
- Research Group for Host-Microbe Interactions, Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway; Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
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Wardal E, Żabicka D, Skalski T, Kubiak-Pulkowska J, Hryniewicz W, Sadowy E. Characterization of a Tigecycline-, Linezolid- and Vancomycin-Resistant Clinical Enteroccoccus faecium Isolate, Carrying vanA and vanB Genes. Infect Dis Ther 2023; 12:2545-2565. [PMID: 37821741 PMCID: PMC10651664 DOI: 10.1007/s40121-023-00881-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Increasing incidence of Enterococcus faecium resistant to key antimicrobials used in therapy of hospitalized patients is a worrisome phenomenon observed worldwide. Our aim was to characterize a tigecycline-, linezolid- and vancomycin-resistant E. faecium isolate with the vanA and vanB genes, originating from a hematoma of a patient hospitalized in an intensive care unit in Poland. METHODS Antimicrobial susceptibility (a broad panel) was tested using gradient tests with predefined antibiotic concentrations. The complete genome sequence was obtained from a mixed assembly of Illumina MiSeq and Oxford Nanopore's MinION reads. The genome was analyzed with appropriate tools available at the Center for Genomic Epidemiology, PubMLST and GenBank. Transferability of oxazolidinone, tigecycline and vancomycin resistance genes was investigated by conjugation, followed by PCR screen of transconjugants for antimicrobial resistance genes and plasmid rep genes characteristic for the donor and genomic sequencing of selected transconjugants. RESULTS The isolate was resistant to most antimicrobials tested; susceptibility to daptomycin, erythromycin and chloramphenicol was significantly reduced, and only oritavancin retained the full activity. The isolate represented sequence type 18 (ST18) and carried vanA, vanB, poxtA, fexB, tet(L), tet(M), aac(6')-aph(2''), ant(6)-Ia and ant(6')-Ii. The vanA, poxtA and tet(M) genes located on ~ 40-kb plasmids were transferable by conjugation yielding transconjugants resistant to vancomycin, linezolid and tigecycline. The substitutions in LiaS, putative histidine kinase, SulP, putative sulfate transporter, RpoB and RpoC were potential determinants of an elevated daptomycin MIC. Comparative analyses of the studied isolate with E. faecium isolates from other countries revealed its similarity to ST18 isolates from Ireland and Uganda from human infections. CONCLUSIONS We provide the detailed characteristics of the genomic determinants of antimicrobial resistance of a clinical E. faecium demonstrating the concomitant presence of both vanA and vanB and resistance to vancomycin, linezolid, tigecycline and several other compounds and decreased daptomycin susceptibility. This isolate is a striking example of an accumulation of resistance determinants involving various mechanisms by a single hospital strain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Wardal
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, ul. Chełmska 30/34, 00-725, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Dorota Żabicka
- Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, ul. Chełmska 30/34, 00-725, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Tomasz Skalski
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital No 2, ul. Ujejskiego 75, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Joanna Kubiak-Pulkowska
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Molecular Diagnostics, University Hospital No 2, ul. Ujejskiego 75, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Waleria Hryniewicz
- Department of Epidemiology and Clinical Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, ul. Chełmska 30/34, 00-725, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Ewa Sadowy
- Department of Molecular Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, ul. Chełmska 30/34, 00-725, Warsaw, Poland.
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Baba H, Kuroda M, Sekizuka T, Kanamori H. Highly sensitive detection of antimicrobial resistance genes in hospital wastewater using the multiplex hybrid capture target enrichment. mSphere 2023; 8:e0010023. [PMID: 37222510 PMCID: PMC10449491 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00100-23] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 04/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Wastewater can be useful in monitoring the spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within a hospital. The abundance of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in hospital effluent was assessed using metagenomic sequencing (mDNA-seq) and hybrid capture (xHYB). mDNA-seq analysis and subsequent xHYB targeted enrichment were conducted on two effluent samples per month from November 2018 to May 2021. Reads per kilobase per million (RPKM) values were calculated for all 1,272 ARGs in the constructed database. The monthly numbers of patients with presumed extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing and metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-producing bacteria, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were compared with the monthly RPKM values of blaCTX-M, blaIMP, mecA, vanA, and vanB by xHYB. The average RPKM value for all ARGs detected by xHYB was significantly higher than that of mDNA-seq (665, 225, and 328, respectively, and P < 0.05). The average number of patients with ESBL producers and RPKM values of blaCTX-M-1 genes in 2020 were significantly higher than that in 2019 (17 and 13 patients per month and 921 vs 232 per month, respectively, both P < 0.05). The average numbers of patients with MBL-producers, MRSA, and VRE were 1, 28, and 0 per month, respectively, while the average RPKM values of blaIMP, mecA, vanA, and vanB were 6,163, 6, 0, and 126 per month, respectively. Monitoring ARGs in hospital effluent using xHYB was found to be more useful than conventional mDNA-seq in detecting ARGs including blaCTX-M, blaIMP, and vanB, which are important for infection control.IMPORTANCEEnvironmental ARGs play a crucial role in the emergence and spread of AMR that constitutes a significant global health threat. One major source of ARGs is effluent from healthcare facilities, where patients are frequently administered antimicrobials. Culture-independent methods, including metagenomics, can detect environmental ARGs carried by non-culturable bacteria and extracellular ARGs. mDNA-seq is one of the most comprehensive methods for environmental ARG surveillance; however, its sensitivity is insufficient for wastewater surveillance. This study demonstrates that xHYB appropriately monitors ARGs in hospital effluent for sensitive identification of nosocomial AMR dissemination. Correlations were observed between the numbers of inpatients with antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the ARG RPKM values in hospital effluent over time. ARG surveillance in hospital effluent using the highly sensitive and specific xHYB method could improve our understanding of the emergence and spread of AMR within a hospital.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroaki Baba
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
| | - Makoto Kuroda
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tsuyoshi Sekizuka
- Pathogen Genomics Center, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hajime Kanamori
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Internal Medicine, Tohoku University Graduate School of Medicine, Sendai, Miyagi, Japan
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Hazarika M, Wangkheimayum J, Nath K, Bhowmik D, Singha KM, Chanda DD, Bhattacharjee A. Transcriptional Response of vanB Operon in Staphylococcus aureus Against Vancomycin and Teicoplanin Stress. Curr Microbiol 2023; 80:275. [PMID: 37422582 DOI: 10.1007/s00284-023-03389-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Staphylococcus aureus is a global pathogen and is responsible for causing severe life-threatening infections. The current study was designed to investigate transcriptional expression of different core, regulatory, and accessory genes within vanB operon under differential exposure of vancomycin and teicoplanin. Four isolates selected for the study, were confirmed to harbour vanB gene in which three isolates showed MIC breakpoint above 16 µg/ml and one isolate above 8 µg/ml against vancomycin while teicoplanin showed higher MIC breakpoint as compared to vancomycin. Antibiotic susceptibility results showed that these isolates were susceptible towards imipenem and linezolid. Transcriptional expressional analysis of the core gene of vanB operon showed that expression of vanB is increased under vancomycin stress but is inversely proportional to increase in the concentration of the vancomycin while under teicoplanin stress the expression of vanB showed no significant pattern. Similar expressional pattern was found for vanH gene for both the glycopeptides. In case of vanX, expression was significantly increased at 1 µg/ml exposure of vancomycin, however, no pattern could be observed in case of teicoplanin stress. In case of regulatory gene, vanR, significant increase in expression was observed under vancomycin and teicoplanin stress of 1 µg/ml, however vanS, showed significant increase in the expression under 1 µg/ml of vancomycin. The accessory gene, vanY showed marginal increase in expression under both the antibiotic, while in case of vanW, the expressional pattern was found to be inversely proportional to the increasing antibiotic concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monalisha Hazarika
- Department of Microbiology, Assam University Silchar, Cachar, 788011, Assam, India
| | | | - Kathakali Nath
- Department of Microbiology, Assam University Silchar, Cachar, 788011, Assam, India
| | - Deepshikha Bhowmik
- Department of Microbiology, Assam University Silchar, Cachar, 788011, Assam, India
| | - K Melson Singha
- Department of Microbiology, Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Silchar, 788014, Assam, India
| | - Debadatta Dhar Chanda
- Department of Microbiology, Silchar Medical College and Hospital, Silchar, 788014, Assam, India
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Physicochemical and Theoretical Characterization of a New Small Non-Metal Schiff Base with a Differential Antimicrobial Effect against Gram-Positive Bacteria. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23052553. [PMID: 35269699 PMCID: PMC8910636 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23052553] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Searching for adequate and effective compounds displaying antimicrobial activities, especially against Gram-positive bacteria, is an important research area due to the high hospitalization and mortality rates of these bacterial infections in both the human and veterinary fields. In this work, we explored (E)-4-amino-3-((3,5-di-tert-butyl-2-hydroxybenzylidene)amino) benzoic acid (SB-1, harboring an intramolecular hydrogen bond) and (E)-2-((4-nitrobenzilidene)amino)aniline (SB-2), two Schiff bases derivatives. Results demonstrated that SB-1 showed an antibacterial activity determined by the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Bacillus cereus (Gram-positive bacteria involved in human and animal diseases such as skin infections, pneumonia, diarrheal syndrome, and urinary tract infections, among others), which was similar to that shown by the classical antibiotic chloramphenicol. By contrast, this compound showed no effect against Gram-negative bacteria (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella enterica). Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive physicochemical and theoretical characterization of SB-1 (as well as several analyses for SB-2), including elemental analysis, ESMS, 1H and 13C NMR (assigned by 1D and 2D techniques), DEPT, UV-Vis, FTIR, and cyclic voltammetry. We also performed a computational study through the DFT theory level, including geometry optimization, TD-DFT, NBO, and global and local reactivity analyses.
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Analysis of the phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistance profiles of clinically significant enterococci isolated in the Provincial Specialist Hospital in Lublin, Poland. CURRENT ISSUES IN PHARMACY AND MEDICAL SCIENCES 2021. [DOI: 10.2478/cipms-2021-0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
The increasing significance of enterococci as healthcare-associated pathogens can be linked to their limited susceptibility to antibiotics.
In this study, phenotypic and genotypic resistance profiles of 35 [n=18 E. faecium (Efm); n=17 E. faecalis (Efs)] invasive isolates cultured from hospitalized patients were analysed. Phenotypic identification was verified by the multiplex PCR targeting the 16S rDNA and the ddl genes encoding for the Efs and Efm – specific ligases. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using the disc diffusion method and E-tests. The high-level streptomycin resistance (HLSR), high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) and glycopeptide resistance was verified by amplification of the ant(6)-Ia, aac(6’)-Ie-aph(2’’)-Ia, as well as vanA and vanB genes, respectively.
More than 70% of all isolates were cultured from patients in the Intensive Care and Internal Medicine Units. Blood was the predominant (77%) site of isolation. All Efm isolates were resistant to ampicillin, imipenem, and norfloxacin; 17 isolates demonstrated high-level aminoglycoside resistance (HLAR), including 27.7% with HLSR, 38.8% with HLGR and 27.7% with both phenotypes. HLAR was also common in Efs (HLSR>70%, HLGR>50%), followed by norfloxacin (64.7%) and ampicillin (11.7%) resistance. The ant(6)-Ia and aac(6’)-Ie-aph(2’’)-Ia genes were detected in >90% of the HLSR and HLGR isolates, respectively. Glycopeptide resistance was detected in 4 (22.2%) Efm isolates and mediated by the vanA gene. 19 (54.3%) isolates were multidrug resistant, including 17 (89.5%) Efm. All isolates were susceptible to linezolid.
The study constitutes a contribution to the analysis of enterococcal antimicrobial resistance in Polish hospitals. The monitoring of enterococcal prevalence and antimicrobial resistance is crucial to control and prevent infections.
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Lisotto P, Couto N, Rosema S, Lokate M, Zhou X, Bathoorn E, Harmsen HJM, Friedrich AW, Rossen JWA, Chlebowicz-Fliss MA. Molecular Characterisation of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Isolates Belonging to the Lineage ST117/CT24 Causing Hospital Outbreaks. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:728356. [PMID: 34646248 PMCID: PMC8503688 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.728356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) is a successful nosocomial pathogen. The current molecular method recommended in the Netherlands for VREfm typing is based on core genome Multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST), however, the rapid emergence of specific VREfm lineages challenges distinguishing outbreak isolates solely based on their core genome. Here, we explored if a detailed molecular characterisation of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and accessory genes could support and expand the current molecular typing of VREfm isolates sharing the same genetic background, enhancing the discriminatory power of the analysis. Materials/Methods: The genomes of 39 VREfm and three vancomycin-susceptible E. faecium (VSEfm) isolates belonging to ST117/CT24, as assessed by cgMLST, were retrospectively analysed. The isolates were collected from patients and environmental samples from 2011 to 2017, and their genomes were analysed using short-read sequencing. Pangenome analysis was performed on de novo assemblies, which were also screened for known predicted virulence factors, antimicrobial resistance genes, bacteriocins, and prophages. Two representative isolates were also sequenced using long-read sequencing, which allowed a detailed analysis of their plasmid content. Results: The cgMLST analysis showed that the isolates were closely related, with a minimal allelic difference of 10 between each cluster’s closest related isolates. The vanB-carrying transposon Tn1549 was present in all VREfm isolates. However, in our data, we observed independent acquisitions of this transposon. The pangenome analysis revealed differences in the accessory genes related to prophages and bacteriocins content, whilst a similar profile was observed for known predicted virulence and resistance genes. Conclusion: In the case of closely related isolates sharing a similar genetic background, a detailed analysis of MGEs and the integration point of the vanB-carrying transposon allow to increase the discriminatory power compared to the use of cgMLST alone. Thus, enabling the identification of epidemiological links amongst hospitalised patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Lisotto
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Natacha Couto
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.,The Milner Centre for Evolution, Department of Biology and Biochemistry, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom
| | - Sigrid Rosema
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Mariëtte Lokate
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Xuewei Zhou
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Erik Bathoorn
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Hermie J M Harmsen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Alexander W Friedrich
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - John W A Rossen
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands.,Department of Pathology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, United States.,IDbyDNA Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Monika A Chlebowicz-Fliss
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
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Johnson CN, Sheriff EK, Duerkop BA, Chatterjee A. Let Me Upgrade You: Impact of Mobile Genetic Elements on Enterococcal Adaptation and Evolution. J Bacteriol 2021; 203:e0017721. [PMID: 34370561 PMCID: PMC8508098 DOI: 10.1128/jb.00177-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Enterococci are Gram-positive bacteria that have evolved to thrive as both commensals and pathogens, largely due to their accumulation of mobile genetic elements via horizontal gene transfer (HGT). Common agents of HGT include plasmids, transposable elements, and temperate bacteriophages. These vehicles of HGT have facilitated the evolution of the enterococci, specifically Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium, into multidrug-resistant hospital-acquired pathogens. On the other hand, commensal strains of Enterococcus harbor CRISPR-Cas systems that prevent the acquisition of foreign DNA, restricting the accumulation of mobile genetic elements. In this review, we discuss enterococcal mobile genetic elements by highlighting their contributions to bacterial fitness, examine the impact of CRISPR-Cas on their acquisition, and identify key areas of research that can improve our understanding of enterococcal evolution and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cydney N. Johnson
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Emma K. Sheriff
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Breck A. Duerkop
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Anushila Chatterjee
- Department of Immunology and Microbiology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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