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A Duplex Digital PCR Assay for Simultaneous Quantification of the Enterococcus spp. and the Human Fecal-associated HF183 Marker in Waters
12:14

A Duplex Digital PCR Assay for Simultaneous Quantification of the Enterococcus spp. and the Human Fecal-associated HF183 Marker in Waters

Published on: March 9, 2016

High-density fecal Enterococcus faecium colonization in hospitalized patients is associated with the presence of the

P Ruiz-Garbajosa1, M de Regt, M Bonten

  • 1Servicio de Microbiología, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, Madrid, Spain. pruizg.hrc@salud.madrid.org

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases : Official Publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology
|July 27, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Ampicillin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (AREfm) high intestinal colonization densities were found in patients. These high bacterial loads may drive AREfm

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Ampicillin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (AREfm) is a growing cause of hospital-acquired infections globally.
  • High-density intestinal colonization by AREfm may facilitate pathogen spread.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify intestinal colonization densities of AREfm in patients.
  • To compare bacterial loads between AREfm-colonized and non-colonized individuals.

Main Methods:

  • Fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) was used to determine Enterococcus species in stool samples.
  • 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI) staining quantified total bacterial cell counts.

Main Results:

  • AREfm-colonized patients showed significantly higher E. faecium densities (0.5-7% of fecal cells) compared to non-colonized patients.
  • E. faecium was undetectable in non-colonized individuals.
  • Total bacterial counts did not significantly differ between groups.

Conclusions:

  • High E. faecium intestinal colonization densities are characteristic of AREfm-colonized patients.
  • Elevated bacterial loads could promote host-to-host transmission and environmental contamination, aiding AREfm spread in healthcare settings.

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