Emergence of pstS-Null Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Clone ST1478, Canada, 2013-2018

Emerg Infect Dis. 2020 Sep;26(9):2247-2250. doi: 10.3201/eid2609.201576.

Abstract

Rates of vancomycin-resistant enterococci bloodstream infections have remained relatively low in Canada. We recently observed an increase of 113% in these infections rates, which coincided with emergence of Enterococcus faecium pstS-null sequence type 1478. The proportion of this sequence type increased from 2.7% to 38.7% for all tested isolates from 2013-2018.

Keywords: Canada; Enterococcus faecium; ST1478; antimicrobial resistance; bacteria; emergence; enterococci; pstS-null vancomycin-resistant clone; sequence type; vancomycin.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Canada / epidemiology
  • Clone Cells
  • Enterococcus faecium* / genetics
  • Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Vancomycin / pharmacology
  • Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci* / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Vancomycin