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Costache C, Colosi I, Toc DA, Daian K, Damacus D, Botan A, Toc A, Pana AG, Panaitescu P, Neculicioiu V, Schiopu P, Iordache D, Butiuc-Keul A. CRISPR-Cas System, Antimicrobial Resistance, and Enterococcus Genus-A Complicated Relationship. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1625. [PMID: 39062198 PMCID: PMC11274382 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12071625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The rise in antibiotic resistant bacteria poses a significant threat to public health worldwide, necessitating innovative solutions. This study explores the role of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) in the context of antibiotic resistance among different species from the Enterococcus genus. (2) Methods: The genomes of Enterococcus included in the study were analyzed using CRISPRCasFinder to distinguish between CRISPR-positive (level 4 CRISPR) and CRISPR-negative genomes. Antibiotic resistance genes were identified, and a comparative analysis explored potential associations between CRISPR presence and antibiotic resistance profiles in Enterococcus species. (3) Results: Out of ten antibiotic resistance genes found in Enterococcus species, only one, the efmA gene, showed a strong association with CRISPR-negative isolates, while the others did not significantly differ between CRISPR-positive and CRISPR-negative Enterococcus genomes. (4) Conclusion: These findings indicate that the efmA gene may be more prevalent in CRISPR-negative Enterococcus genomes, and they may contribute to a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the acquisition of antibiotic resistance genes in Enterococcus species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Costache
- Department of Microbiology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (I.C.)
- Cluj County Emergency Hospital, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Ioana Colosi
- Department of Microbiology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (I.C.)
| | - Dan-Alexandru Toc
- Department of Microbiology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (I.C.)
- Cluj County Emergency Hospital, 400000 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Karla Daian
- Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - David Damacus
- Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Alexandru Botan
- Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adelina Toc
- Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Adrian Gabriel Pana
- Faculty of Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Paul Panaitescu
- Department of Microbiology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (I.C.)
| | - Vlad Neculicioiu
- Department of Microbiology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (I.C.)
| | - Pavel Schiopu
- Department of Microbiology, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania (I.C.)
| | - Dumitrana Iordache
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
| | - Anca Butiuc-Keul
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biology and Geology, Babeş-Bolyai University, 400084 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
- Centre for Systems Biology, Biodiversity and Bioresources, Babes-Bolyai University, 400006 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Harmer CJ, Hall RM. IS 26 and the IS 26 family: versatile resistance gene movers and genome reorganizers. Microbiol Mol Biol Rev 2024; 88:e0011922. [PMID: 38436262 PMCID: PMC11332343 DOI: 10.1128/mmbr.00119-22] [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] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
SUMMARYIn Gram-negative bacteria, the insertion sequence IS26 is highly active in disseminating antibiotic resistance genes. IS26 can recruit a gene or group of genes into the mobile gene pool and support their continued dissemination to new locations by creating pseudo-compound transposons (PCTs) that can be further mobilized by the insertion sequence (IS). IS26 can also enhance expression of adjacent potential resistance genes. IS26 encodes a DDE transposase but has unique properties. It forms cointegrates between two separate DNA molecules using two mechanisms. The well-known copy-in (replicative) route generates an additional IS copy and duplicates the target site. The recently discovered and more efficient and targeted conservative mechanism requires an IS in both participating molecules and does not generate any new sequence. The unit of movement for PCTs, known as a translocatable unit or TU, includes only one IS26. TU formed by homologous recombination between the bounding IS26s can be reincorporated via either cointegration route. However, the targeted conservative reaction is key to generation of arrays of overlapping PCTs seen in resistant pathogens. Using the copy-in route, IS26 can also act on a site in the same DNA molecule, either inverting adjacent DNA or generating an adjacent deletion plus a circular molecule carrying the DNA segment lost and an IS copy. If reincorporated, these circular molecules create a new PCT. IS26 is the best characterized IS in the IS26 family, which includes IS257/IS431, ISSau10, IS1216, IS1006, and IS1008 that are also implicated in spreading resistance genes in Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher J. Harmer
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Ruth M. Hall
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Sun L, Zhuang H, Chen M, Chen Y, Chen Y, Shi K, Yu Y. Vancomycin heteroresistance caused by unstable tandem amplifications of the vanM gene cluster on linear conjugative plasmids in a clinical Enterococcus faecium. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 2024; 68:e0115923. [PMID: 38506549 PMCID: PMC11064493 DOI: 10.1128/aac.01159-23] [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: 09/07/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Vancomycin heteroresistance is prone to missed detection and poses a risk of clinical treatment failure. We encountered one clinical Enterococcus faecium strain, SRR12, that carried a complete vanM gene cluster but was determined as susceptible to vancomycin using the broth microdilution method. However, distinct subcolonies appeared within the clear zone of inhibition in the E-test assay, one of which, named SRR12-v1, showed high-level resistance to vancomycin. SRR12 was confirmed as heteroresistant to vancomycin using population analysis profiling and displayed "revive" growth curves with a lengthy lag phase of over 13 hours when exposed to 2-32 mg/L vancomycin. The resistant subcolony SRR12-v1 was found to carry an identical vanM gene cluster to that of SRR12 but a significantly increased vanM copy number in the genome. Long-read whole genome sequencing revealed that a one-copy vanM gene cluster was located on a pELF1-like linear plasmid in SRR12. In comparison, tandem amplification of the vanM gene cluster jointed with IS1216E was seated on a linear plasmid in the genome of SRR12-v1. These amplifications of the vanM gene cluster were demonstrated as unstable and would decrease accompanied by fitness reversion after serial passaging for 50 generations under increasing vancomycin pressure or without antibiotic pressure but were relatively stable under constant vancomycin pressure. Further, vanM resistance in resistant variants was verified to be carried by conjugative plasmids with variable sizes using conjugation assays and S1-pulsed field gel electrophoresis blotting, suggesting the instability/flexibility of vanM cluster amplification in the genome and an increased risk of vanM resistance dissemination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyan Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
- Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Hemu Zhuang
- Department of Respiratory and Critical Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
| | - Mengzhen Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yan Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yiyi Chen
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Keren Shi
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yunsong Yu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Regional Medical Center for National Institute of Respiratory Diseases, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology and Bioinformatics of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou, China
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Coccitto SN, Cinthi M, Simoni S, Pocognoli A, Zeni G, Mazzariol A, Morroni G, Mingoia M, Giovanetti E, Brenciani A, Vignaroli C. Genetic analysis of vancomycin-variable Enterococcus faecium clinical isolates in Italy. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 2024; 43:673-682. [PMID: 38296911 DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04768-0] [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: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the occurrence of vancomycin-variable enterococci (VVE) in a hospital in central Italy. METHODS vanA positive but vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium isolates (VVE-S) were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility tests, molecular typing (PFGE and MLST), and WGS approach. The reversion of VVE-S to a resistant phenotype was assessed by exposure to increasing vancomycin concentrations, and the revertant isolates were used in filter mating experiments. qPCR was used to analyze the plasmid copy number. RESULTS Eleven putative VVE-S were selected. WGS revealed two categories of vanA cluster plasmid located: the first type showed the lack of vanR, the deletion of vanS, and an intact vanH/vanA/vanX cluster; the second type was devoid of both vanR and vanS and showed a deletion of 544-bp at the 5'-end of the vanH. Strains (n = 7) carrying the first type of vanA cluster were considered VVE-S and were able to regain a resistance phenotype (VVE-R) in the presence of vancomycin, due to a 44-bp deletion in the promoter region of vanH/vanA/vanX, causing its constitutive expression. VVE-R strains were not able to transfer resistance by conjugation, and the resistance phenotype was unstable: after 11 days of growth without selective pressure, the revertants were still resistant but showed a lower vancomycin MIC. A higher plasmid copy number in the revertant strains was probably related to the resistance phenotype. CONCLUSION We highlight the importance of VVE transition to VRE under vancomycin therapy resulting in a potential failure treatment. We also report the first-time identification of VVE-S isolates pstS-null belonging to ST1478.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonia Nina Coccitto
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marzia Cinthi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Serena Simoni
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Antonella Pocognoli
- Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Ospedali Riuniti", Ancona, Italy
| | - Guido Zeni
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Verona University, Verona, Italy
| | - Annarita Mazzariol
- Department of Diagnostics and Public Health, Verona University, Verona, Italy
| | - Gianluca Morroni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Marina Mingoia
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Eleonora Giovanetti
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
| | - Andrea Brenciani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences and Public Health, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy.
| | - Carla Vignaroli
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Polytechnic University of Marche, Ancona, Italy
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Wang Q, Peng K, Liu Z, Li Y, Xiao X, Du XD, Li R, Wang Z. Genomic insights into linezolid-resistant Enterococci revealed its evolutionary diversity and poxtA copy number heterogeneity. Int J Antimicrob Agents 2023; 62:106929. [PMID: 37487950 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2023.106929] [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: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to determine the molecular mechanisms of linezolid-resistant enterococci (LRE) in swine slaughterhouses in China and apply the "One Health" perspective to analyse the evolutionary dynamics of poxtA-positive E. faecium in clinical and non-clinical settings worldwide. METHODS The phenotypic and genomic characteristics of multiple LRE isolates were systematically investigated using antimicrobial susceptibility testing, transfer assays, evolutionary experiments, quantitative RT-PCR assays, whole-genome sequencing, and bioinformatics analyses. RESULTS Swine faeces served as a significant reservoir for LRE isolates, and optrA and poxtA were the primary contributors to linezolid resistance. Co-occurrence network analysis revealed a significant interconnection between optrA and several other ARGs. The poxtA copy number heterogeneity and polymorphism were initially observed in E. faecium parental and evolved isolates. The poxtA-carrying tandem repeat region exhibits high mobility and has undergone extensive duplication owing to linezolid pressure. The poxtA copy number varies from four copies on the plasmid of E. faecium IC25 to 11 copies on the plasmid and six copies on the chromosome in the evolved isolate IC25-50_poxtA. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of 185 poxtA-positive E. faecium strains worldwide found that one isolate from a French patient in 2018 shared only two SNPs with CC17 E. faecium isolates IC25 and IC7-2 from this study, highlighting the potential global transmission of CC17 poxtA-positive E. faecium between humans and animals. CONCLUSION This study identified amplification of poxtA as a response of E. faecium to linezolid pressure. Phylogenetic analysis shed light on the potential global transmission of hospital-associated CC17 poxtA-positive E. faecium in clinical and non-clinical settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaojun Wang
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Kai Peng
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Ziyi Liu
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Yan Li
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Xia Xiao
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China
| | - Xiang-Dang Du
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, P. R. China
| | - Ruichao Li
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China; Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P.R. China; Joint International Research Laboratory of Agriculture and Agri-Product Safety, the Ministry of Education of China, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
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Zeng W, Han Y, Zheng X, Yao Z, Xu C, Zhang X, Tang M, Shen M, Zhou T. Evaluation of resazurin microplate method for rapid detection of vancomycin and linezolid resistance in Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium clinical isolates. J Antimicrob Chemother 2023; 78:466-477. [PMID: 36575476 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkac415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Vancomycin and linezolid resistance among enterococci is an increasing problem due to a lack of alternative antibiotics. Early identification of vancomycin-resistant and linezolid-resistant strains can help prevent the spread of resistance to these antibiotics. Hence, early, rapid and accurate detection of vancomycin and linezolid resistance is critical. OBJECTIVES The resazurin microplate method (RMM) was developed for detecting vancomycin and linezolid susceptibility among Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) and Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) clinical isolates, and its performance was further evaluated. METHODS A total of 209 non-duplicate clinical isolates and three strains from the faeces of domestic animals, including 142 E. faecalis (71 linezolid non-susceptible and 71 linezolid susceptible) and 70 E. faecium (23 vancomycin non-susceptible, 23 vancomycin susceptible, 12 linezolid non-susceptible and 12 linezolid susceptible), were tested using RMM. RESULTS The susceptibility of E. faecium to vancomycin was detected within 5 h, with high susceptibility (23/23) and specificity (23/23). The susceptibility of E. faecalis and E. faecium to linezolid was detected within 4 h, with specificities of 98.59% and 100% and susceptibilities of 94.37% and 58.33% for E. faecalis and E. faecium, respectively. CONCLUSIONS RMM had a good positive predictive value for the detection of vancomycin-non-susceptible E. faecium and linezolid-non-susceptible E. faecalis. It thus has the potential to become an alternative method for the rapid screening of these resistant pathogens in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiliang Zeng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Yijia Han
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiangkuo Zheng
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Zhuocheng Yao
- Department of Medical Lab Science, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Science, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Chunquan Xu
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Xiaotuan Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Miran Tang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Mo Shen
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
| | - Tieli Zhou
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, The First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis and Translational Research of Zhejiang Province, Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China
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Zhou Y, Yang Y, Wu J, Guo Y, Han R, Xu X. Check the melting temperature of the FilmArray BCID panel to avoid missed detection of vanM-type enterococci. J Microbiol Methods 2023; 204:106646. [PMID: 36481432 DOI: 10.1016/j.mimet.2022.106646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2022] [Revised: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE We aimed to evaluate whether the FilmArray blood culture identification (BCID) panel holds the ability to detect vanM-type vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) clinical isolates effectively. METHODS Twenty VRE clinical strains, including 10 vanA-type VRE and 10 vanM-type VRE, were collected from patients in five tertiary hospitals, Shanghai, China. By conventional PCR and sequencing, the strains were identified and van genotypes were confirmed. All VRE strains were investigated using the FilmArray BCID panel. All results, including enterococcus assay, vanA/B assay, DNA melting curves and melting temperature (Tm), were recorded. We also compared these results with those obtained via the conventional PCR and sequencing. RESULTS According to the instructions of the FilmArray BCID panel, the Enterococcus assay is used to identify species and vanA/B assay is used to detect van genes. In all vanA-type VRE, the Enterococcus assay and vanA/B assay were positive. The results correctly showed that the tested strains were VRE. However, in 10 vanM-type VRE, the Enterococcus assay was positive and vanA/B assay were negative. The results mistakenly showed that the tested strains were vancomycin-sensitive enterococci (VSE). In the vanA/B assay, the melting curves of vanM-type VRE were similar to that of vanA-type VRE, but the Tm values were lower. The Tm values were then compared against the expected Tm range for the vanA/B assay. The Tm values of vanM-type VRE fall outside the assay-specific Tm range, resulting in negative reports. Thus, by adjusting the expected Tm range for the Enterococcus assay, the FilmArray BCID panel holds the ability to detect vanM-type VRE. CONCLUSIONS The vanM-type VRE isolates can be effectively detected by optimizing the expected Tm range for the vanA/B assay.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Zhou
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, National Health Commission, Shanghai, China
| | - Yang Yang
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, National Health Commission, Shanghai, China
| | - Jing Wu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai 200040, China
| | - Yan Guo
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, National Health Commission, Shanghai, China
| | - Renru Han
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, National Health Commission, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaogang Xu
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Key Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology of Antibiotics, National Health Commission, Shanghai, China; National Clinical Research Center for Aging and Medicine, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Shanghai Huashen Institute of Microbes and Infections, Shanghai 200052, China.
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Jiang J, Chen L, Chen X, Li P, Xu X, Fowler VG, van Duin D, Wang M. Carbapenemase-Encoding Gene Copy Number Estimator (CCNE): a Tool for Carbapenemase Gene Copy Number Estimation. Microbiol Spectr 2022; 10:e0100022. [PMID: 35863018 PMCID: PMC9431437 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01000-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 06/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Carbapenemase production is one of the leading mechanisms of carbapenem resistance in Gram-negative bacteria. An increase in carbapenemase gene (blaCarb) copies is an important mechanism of carbapenem resistance. No currently available bioinformatics tools allow for reliable detection and reporting of carbapenemase gene copy numbers. Here, we describe the carbapenemase-encoding gene copy number estimator (CCNE), a ready-to-use bioinformatics tool that was developed to estimate blaCarb copy numbers from whole-genome sequencing data. Its performance on Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase gene (blaKPC) copy number estimation was evaluated by simulation and quantitative PCR (qPCR), and the results were compared with available algorithms. CCNE has two components, CCNE-acc and CCNE-fast. CCNE-acc detects blaCarb copy number in a comprehensive and high-accuracy way, while CCNE-fast rapidly screens blaCarb copy numbers. CCNE-acc achieved the best accuracy (100%) and the lowest root mean squared error (RMSE; 0.07) in simulated noise data sets, compared to the assembly-based method (23.4% accuracy, 1.697 RMSE) and the OrthologsBased method (78.9% accuracy, 0.395 RMSE). In the qPCR validation, a high consistency was observed between the blaKPC copy number determined by qPCR and that determined with CCNE. Reverse transcription-qPCR transcriptional analysis of 40 isolates showed that blaKPC expression was positively correlated with the blaKPC copy numbers detected by CCNE (P < 0.001). An association study of 357 KPC-producing K. pneumoniae isolates and their antimicrobial susceptibility identified a significant association between the estimated blaKPC copy number and MICs of imipenem (P < 0.001) and ceftazidime-avibactam (P < 0.001). Overall, CCNE is a useful genomic tool for the analysis of antimicrobial resistance genes copy number; it is available at https://github.com/biojiang/ccne. IMPORTANCE Globally disseminated carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales is an urgent threat to public health. The most common carbapenem resistance mechanism is the production of carbapenemases. Carbapenemase-producing isolates often exhibit a wide range of carbapenem MICs. Higher carbapenem MICs have been associated with treatment failure. The increase of carbapenemase gene (blaCarb) copy numbers contributes to increased carbapenem MICs. However, blaCarb gene copy number detection is not routinely conducted during a genomic analysis, in part due to the lack of optimal bioinformatics tools. In this study, we describe a ready-to-use tool we developed and designated the carbapenemase-encoding gene copy number estimator (CCNE) that can be used to estimate the blaCarb copy number directly from whole-genome sequencing data, and we extended the data to support the analysis of all known blaCarb genes and some other antimicrobial resistance genes. Furthermore, CCNE can be used to interrogate the correlations between genotypes and susceptibility phenotypes and to improve our understanding of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianping Jiang
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Liang Chen
- Center for Discovery and Innovation, Hackensack Meridian Health, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
- Department of Medical Sciences, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA
| | - Xin Chen
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pei Li
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaogang Xu
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Vance G. Fowler
- Division of Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - David van Duin
- Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Minggui Wang
- Institute of Antibiotics, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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9
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Boumasmoud M, Dengler Haunreiter V, Schweizer TA, Meyer L, Chakrakodi B, Schreiber PW, Seidl K, Kühnert D, Kouyos RD, Zinkernagel AS. Genomic Surveillance of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Reveals Spread of a Linear Plasmid Conferring a Nutrient Utilization Advantage. mBio 2022; 13:e0377121. [PMID: 35343787 PMCID: PMC9040824 DOI: 10.1128/mbio.03771-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Healthcare-associated outbreaks of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) are a worldwide problem with increasing prevalence. The genomic plasticity of this hospital-adapted pathogen contributes to its efficient spread despite infection control measures. Here, we aimed to identify the genomic and phenotypic determinants of health care-associated transmission of VREfm. We assessed the VREfm transmission networks at the tertiary-care University Hospital of Zurich (USZ) between October 2014 and February 2018 and investigated microevolutionary dynamics of this pathogen. We performed whole-genome sequencing for the 69 VREfm isolates collected during this time frame and assessed the population structure and variability of the vancomycin resistance transposon. Phylogenomic analysis allowed us to reconstruct transmission networks and to unveil external or wider transmission networks undetectable by routine surveillance. Notably, it unveiled a persistent clone, sampled 31 times over a 29-month period. Exploring the evolutionary dynamics of this clone and characterizing the phenotypic consequences revealed the spread of a variant with decreased daptomycin susceptibility and the acquired ability to utilize N-acetyl-galactosamine (GalNAc), one of the primary constituents of the human gut mucins. This nutrient utilization advantage was conferred by a novel plasmid, termed pELF_USZ, which exhibited a linear topology. This plasmid, which was harbored by two distinct clones, was transferable by conjugation. Overall, this work highlights the potential of combining epidemiological, functional genomic, and evolutionary perspectives to unveil adaptation strategies of VREfm. IMPORTANCE Sequencing microbial pathogens causing outbreaks has become a common practice to characterize transmission networks. In addition to the signal provided by vertical evolution, bacterial genomes harbor mobile genetic elements shared horizontally between clones. While macroevolutionary studies have revealed an important role of plasmids and genes encoding carbohydrate utilization systems in the adaptation of Enterococcus faecium to the hospital environment, mechanisms of dissemination and the specific function of many of these genetic determinants remain to be elucidated. Here, we characterize a plasmid providing a nutrient utilization advantage and show evidence for its clonal and horizontal spread at a local scale. Further studies integrating epidemiological, functional genomics, and evolutionary perspectives will be critical to identify changes shaping the success of this pathogen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilde Boumasmoud
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Vanina Dengler Haunreiter
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Tiziano A. Schweizer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Lilly Meyer
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Bhavya Chakrakodi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Peter W. Schreiber
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Kati Seidl
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Denise Kühnert
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger D. Kouyos
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Annelies S. Zinkernagel
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Zurich, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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10
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Li R, Li Y, Peng K, Yin Y, Liu Y, He T, Bai L, Wang Z. Comprehensive Genomic Investigation of Tigecycline Resistance Gene tet(X4)-Bearing Strains Expanding among Different Settings. Microbiol Spectr 2021; 9:e0163321. [PMID: 34937176 PMCID: PMC8694195 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01633-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
The emergence of plasmid-mediated tigecycline resistance genes has attracted a great deal of attention globally. Currently, no comprehensive in-depth genomic epidemiology study of tet(X4)-bearing pathogens present of pork origin as the One Health approach has been performed. Herein, 139 fresh pork samples were collected from multiple regions in China and 58 tet(X4)-positive strains were identified. The tet(X4) gene mainly distributed in Escherichia coli (n = 55). Besides, 4 novel tet(X4)-positive bacterial species Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 2), Klebsiella quasipneumoniae (n = 1), Citrobacter braakii (n = 1) and Citrobacter freundii (n = 1) were first characterized here. Four different core tet(X4)-bearing genetic environments and five types of tet(X4)-bearing tandem duplications were discovered among 58 strains. The results of the phylogenetic tree showed that there was some correlation between E. coli strains from pork, human, pig farms, and slaughterhouses. A total of seven types of plasmid replicons were found in tet(X4)-positive plasmids, among which multireplicon plasmids were observed. Notably, two tet(X4)-positive fusion plasmids pCSZ11R (IncX1-IncFIA-IncFIB-IncFIC) and pCSX5G-tetX4 (IncX1-IncFII-IncFIA) were formed by IS26 in the hot spot. Besides, six samples were identified to harbor two different tet(X4)-bearing strains. More interestingly, the absolute quantitative results showed that the expression levels of tet(X4) between different strains with different tet(X4) copies were approximate. In this study, the genetic environment of tet(X4)-positive plasmids containing different plasmid replicons was analyzed to provide a basis for the further development of effective control measures. It is also highlighted that animal-borne tet(X4)-bearing pathogens incur a transmission risk to consumed food. Therefore, there is an urgent need for large-scale monitoring as well as the development of effective control measures. IMPORTANCE Tigecycline was considered the last-line drug against serious infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. However, the plasmid-mediated tigecycline resistance gene tet(X) has been widely reported in different sources of Enterobacterales and Acinetobacter in China. China is one of the largest pig-producing nations in the world, and in-depth investigation of gene in pork is vital to figure out the fundamental dissemination of these genes and set up a reasonable control framework. In this study, we conducted an in-depth and systematic analysis of the diversity of tet(X4)-positive plasmids and the genetic environment of tet(X4) contained in pork samples from multiple regions of China, providing a basis for further development of effective control measures. It is also highlighted that animal-borne tet(X4)-bearing pathogens incur a transmission risk to consumed food. Therefore, there is an urgent need for large-scale monitoring as well as the development of effective control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruichao Li
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yan Li
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Kai Peng
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yi Yin
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
- Institute of Comparative Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
| | - Tao He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory for Food Quality and Safety-State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base of Ministry of Science and Technology, Institute of Food Safety and Nutrition, Jiangsu Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Bai
- Key Laboratory of Food Safety Risk Assessment, National Health Commission of the People’s Republic of China, China National Center for Food Safety Risk Assessment, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
| | - Zhiqiang Wang
- Jiangsu Co-Innovation Center for Prevention and Control of Important Animal Infectious Diseases and Zoonoses, College of Veterinary Medicine, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, People’s Republic of China
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11
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Wagner TM, Janice J, Sivertsen A, Sjögren I, Sundsfjord A, Hegstad K. Alternative vanHAX promoters and increased vanA-plasmid copy number resurrect silenced glycopeptide resistance in Enterococcus faecium. J Antimicrob Chemother 2021; 76:876-882. [PMID: 33367710 PMCID: PMC7953315 DOI: 10.1093/jac/dkaa541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Vancomycin variable enterococci (VVE) are van-positive isolates with a susceptible phenotype that can convert to a resistant phenotype during vancomycin selection. Objectives To describe a vancomycin-susceptible vanA-PCR positive ST203 VVE Enterococcus faecium isolate (VVESwe-S) from a liver transplantation patient in Sweden which reverted to resistant (VVESwe-R) during in vitro vancomycin exposure. Methods WGS analysis revealed the genetic differences between the isolates. Expression of the van-operon was investigated by qPCR. Fitness and stability of the revertant were investigated by growth measurements, competition and serial transfer. Results The VVESwe-R isolate gained high-level vancomycin (MIC >256 mg/L) and teicoplanin resistance (MIC = 8 mg/L). VVESwe-S has a 5′-truncated vanR activator sequence and the VVESwe-R has in addition acquired a 44 bp deletion upstream of vanHAX in a region containing alternative putative constitutive promoters. In VVESwe-R the vanHAX-operon is constitutively expressed at a level comparable to the non-induced prototype E. faecium BM4147 strain. The vanHAX operon of VVESwe is located on an Inc18-like plasmid, which has a 3–4-fold higher copy number in VVESwe-R compared with VVESwe-S. Resistance has a low fitness cost and the vancomycin MIC of VVESwe-R decreased during in vitro serial culture without selection. The reduction in MIC was associated with a decreased vanA-plasmid copy number. Conclusions Our data support a mechanism by which vancomycin-susceptible VVE strains may revert to a resistant phenotype through the use of an alternative, constitutive, vanR-activator-independent promoter and a vanA-plasmid copy number increase.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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
| | - 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
| | - Audun Sivertsen
- Norwegian National Advisory Unit on Detection of Antimicrobial Resistance, Department of Microbiology and Infection Control, University Hospital of North-Norway, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Ingegerd Sjögren
- Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infection Control, Hospital of Halland, Halmstad, Sweden
| | - Arnfinn Sundsfjord
- 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
| | - 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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Zhou W, Zhou H, Sun Y, Gao S, Zhang Y, Cao X, Zhang Z, Shen H, Zhang C. Characterization of clinical enterococci isolates, focusing on the vancomycin-resistant enterococci in a tertiary hospital in China: based on the data from 2013 to 2018. BMC Infect Dis 2020; 20:356. [PMID: 32517758 PMCID: PMC7285731 DOI: 10.1186/s12879-020-05078-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2020] [Accepted: 05/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE) have spread all over the world. The present study aims to investigate the species distribution, specimen type and susceptibilities of Enterococcal species collected from Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from 2013 to 2018. Additionally, distribution of VRE and prevalence of van gene among VRE isolates were also analyzed. Methods The susceptibilities of 3913 Enterococcus isolates were retrospectively investigated. Among these strains, 60 VRE strains were further anazlyed in this study. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the VRE strains towards vancomycin, teicoplanin and linezolid were determined by E-test. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing were used to investigate the prevalence of van genes among VRE. Furthermore, the sequence types (STs) of VRE strains were explored by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). Results Among the 3913 enterococci isolates, Enterococcus faecalis (n = 1870, 47.8%) and Enterococcus faecium (1738, 44.4%) were the main isolates. These Enterococcus strains were mainly isolated from urine (n = 1673, 42.8%), followed by secretions (n = 583, 14.9%) and ascites (n = 554, 14.2%). VRE displayed a decreasing trend year by year. Molecular analysis revealed that 49 out of 60 VRE isolates carried vanA gene, 10 carried vanM, and 1 carried both vanA and vanM genes. Sixteen distinct STs were identified among the 58 VREM, with ST78 (n = 16), ST192 (n = 8) and ST570 (n = 7) being the most dominant ones. Conclusions E. faecalis and E. faecium were the major enterococci strains which are the main pathogens of urinary traction infections; vanA and vanM were the main determinants conferring resistance to vancomycin; ST78, ST192 and ST570 were the leading STs of VREM which displayed a decreasing trend of prevalence year by year.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanqing Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321# Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China
| | - Hui Zhou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321# Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China
| | - Yuhan Sun
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321# Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China
| | - Shuo Gao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321# Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321# Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China
| | - Xiaoli Cao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321# Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China
| | - Zhifeng Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321# Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China
| | - Han Shen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School, 321# Zhongshan Road, Gulou District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China.
| | - Chunni Zhang
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Jinling Hospital, Nanjing University School of Medicine, Nanjing University, 305# East Zhongshan Road, Qinhuai District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, 210008, P. R. China.
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