High-Level Aminoglycoside Resistance in Enterococcus Faecalis and Enterococcus Faecium; as a Serious Threat in Hospitals

Infect Disord Drug Targets. 2020;20(2):223-228. doi: 10.2174/1871526519666181130095954.

Abstract

Aims and objectives: The present work aimed to evaluate the frequency of aminoglycoside- modifying enzymes encoding genes in the E. faecalis and E. faecium and their antibiotic resistance profile.

Methods: A total of 305 different clinical samples were subjected for identification and antibiotic susceptibility test. The high-level aminoglycoside resistance was identified by MIC and Kirby Bauer disc diffusion method. The prevalence of aac (6')-Ie-aph (2'')-Ia, aph (3')-IIIa and ant (4')- Ia genes was determined by multiplex- PCR. In total, 100 enterococci strains were isolated. The prevalence of E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates was 78% and 22%, respectively.

Results: All isolates were susceptible to linezolid. So, all E. faecalis were susceptible to vancomycin but, 36.4% of E. faecium were resistant to it. The prevalence of multiple drug resistance strains was 100% and 67.9% of E. faecium and E. faecalis, respectively. High-level-gentamicin and streptomycin resistant rates were as follows; 26.9% and 73.1% of E. faecalis and 77.3% and 90.1% of E. faecium. Conclucion: The results of the current study showed a high frequency of aac (6')-Ie-aph (2'')-Ia genes among enterococcal isolates. A high rate of resistance to antimicrobials in Enterococcus is obviously problematic, and a novel policy is needed to decrease resistance in these microorganisms.

Keywords: E. faecium; Enterococcus; Enterococcus Faecalis; aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes; microgranism; resistance..

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aminoglycosides / pharmacology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Enterococcus faecalis / drug effects*
  • Enterococcus faecium / drug effects*
  • Female
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Hospitalization / statistics & numerical data
  • Hospitals / statistics & numerical data*
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Aminoglycosides