Molecular epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium infecting recipients of solid organs in the transplant surgery ward in 2005 and 2006

Transplant Proc. 2009 Oct;41(8):3261-3. doi: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2009.08.012.

Abstract

Background: The aim of the investigations was to compare the vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) strains obtained from our patients.

Materials and methods: Strains were compared using restriction fragment length polymorphism-pulsed field gel electrophoresis (RFLP-PFGE) of bacterial DNA.

Results: VREfm infected 26 liver recipients, 22 kidney recipients, and 9 other surgery or nephrology patients. Only five strains possessed the vanB determinant. The PFGE analysis revealed two large and several small groups of related strains.

Conclusions: The PFGE analysis enabled the investigation of VRE epidemiology among patients after transplantation. Strains with similar patterns most probably originated from one source and clearly suggested an outbreak.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bile / microbiology
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • DNA, Bacterial / isolation & purification
  • Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field
  • Enterococcus faecium / genetics*
  • Enterococcus faecium / isolation & purification
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / epidemiology*
  • Humans
  • Kidney Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Liver Transplantation / adverse effects
  • Molecular Epidemiology / statistics & numerical data*
  • Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length
  • Transplantation / adverse effects*
  • Urine / microbiology
  • Vancomycin Resistance / genetics*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial