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Updated: Sep 28, 2026

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
08:58

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Published on: March 3, 2023

[Antibiotic resistance in hospital strains of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium]

Veljko Mirović1

  • 1Vojnomedicinska akademija, ZPM-Institut za mikrobiologiju, Beograd.

Vojnosanitetski Pregled
|November 28, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Enterococcus faecium exhibits high resistance to penicillin and ampicillin, while Enterococcus faecalis remains susceptible. Both species show significant resistance to high-level aminoglycosides, impacting treatment options.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Context:

  • Enterococcus species are significant nosocomial pathogens.
  • Antibiotic resistance in enterococci complicates treatment strategies.
  • Understanding resistance patterns is crucial for effective infection control.

Purpose:

  • To determine the antibiotic resistance profiles of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium from clinical specimens.
  • To assess resistance to a broad spectrum of antibiotics, including penicillins, vancomycin, and high-level aminoglycosides.
  • To identify beta-lactamase production in these enterococcal isolates.

Summary:

  • Enterococcus faecium isolates demonstrated high resistance (89.6%) to penicillin and ampicillin, whereas Enterococcus faecalis isolates (0.9%) remained largely susceptible.
  • High-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) and high-level streptomycin resistance (HLSR) were prevalent in both species, particularly in E. faecium (68.7% HLGR, 75% HLSR).
  • All isolates were beta-lactamase negative, and only one E. faecium strain showed vancomycin resistance (Van A phenotype).

Impact:

  • The study highlights the significant challenge posed by multidrug-resistant enterococci, especially E. faecium.
  • Findings underscore the need for vigilant antibiotic stewardship and surveillance of resistance trends.
  • Results inform clinical decision-making for empirical and targeted therapy against enterococcal infections.

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