Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 5, 2026

Preventing the Spread of Malaria and Dengue Fever Using Genetically Modified Mosquitoes
17:50

Preventing the Spread of Malaria and Dengue Fever Using Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

Published on: July 4, 2007

13.0K

Elucidating vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium outbreaks: the role of clonal spread and movement of mobile

X Zhou1, M A Chlebowicz1, E Bathoorn1

  • 1University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Medical Microbiology, Groningen, The Netherlands.

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|September 17, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Understanding vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) transmission requires combining whole-genome sequencing with transposon analysis. This approach reveals both clonal spread and mobile genetic element transfer, crucial for controlling VREfm outbreaks.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) is a significant global nosocomial pathogen.
  • VREfm spreads through both clonal expansion and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) like transposons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate VREfm transmission pathways during nosocomial outbreaks.
  • To integrate vanB-carrying transposon data with core-genome MLST (cgMLST) and epidemiological data.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 36 VREfm isolates from seven outbreaks (2014).
  • Whole-genome sequencing using MiSeq and MinION platforms.
  • Hybrid assembly with Unicycler, cgMLST with SeqSphere+, and transposon analysis with ACT and BLAST.

Main Results:

  • Four distinct vanB transposons were identified.
  • cgMLST differentiated isolates into distinct cluster types (CTs).
  • Specific CTs showed variations or identical vanB transposons, indicating complex transmission.

Conclusions:

  • cgMLST offers high discriminatory power for VREfm epidemiology.
  • Transposon analysis is essential for detecting horizontal gene transfer.
  • Combining cgMLST and transposon analysis enhances understanding of VREfm transmission routes.

More Related Videos

Clonal Genetic Tracing using the Confetti Mouse to Study Mineralized Tissues07:41

Clonal Genetic Tracing using the Confetti Mouse to Study Mineralized Tissues

Published on: October 23, 2019

15.7K
Generation of Null Mutants to Elucidate the Role of Bacterial Glycosyltransferases in Bacterial Motility12:29

Generation of Null Mutants to Elucidate the Role of Bacterial Glycosyltransferases in Bacterial Motility

Published on: March 11, 2022

2.7K

Related Concept Videos

Spreading of Chromatin Modifications02:25

Spreading of Chromatin Modifications

The histone proteins in the nucleosomes are post-translationally modified (PTM) to increase or decrease access to DNA. The commonly observed PTMs are methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, and ubiquitination of lysine amino acids in the histone H3 tail region. These histone modifications have specific meaning for the cell. Hence, they are called "histone code". The protein complex involved in histone modification is termed as "reader-writer" complex.
Writers
The writer...
9.5K
Periodic Classification of the Elements04:00

Periodic Classification of the Elements

The periodic table arranges atoms based on increasing atomic number so that elements with the same chemical properties recur periodically. When their electron configurations are added to the table, a periodic recurrence of similar electron configurations in the outer shells of these elements is observed. Because they are in the outer shells of an atom, valence electrons play the most important role in chemical reactions. The outer electrons have the highest energy of the electrons in an atom...
59.2K
Elements and Compounds01:27

Elements and Compounds

Pure substances consist of only one type of matter. A pure substance can be an element or a compound. An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more types of atoms held together by a chemical bond.
Elements
Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units. They are unique forms of matter with specific chemical and physical properties that cannot break down into smaller substances by ordinary chemical reactions. There...
105.0K
Classification of Elements and Compounds02:54

Classification of Elements and Compounds

Pure substances consist of only one type of matter. A pure substance can be an element or a compound. An element consists of only one type of atom, while a compound consists of two or more types of atoms held together by a chemical bond. Elements are classified as atomic or molecular based on the nature of their basic units.
Compounds are pure substances composed of two or more elements in fixed, definite proportions. Compounds are classified as ionic or molecular (covalent) based on the bonds...
73.2K
Genetics of Speciation02:16

Genetics of Speciation

Speciation is the evolutionary process resulting in the formation of new, distinct species—groups of reproductively isolated populations.
21.5K
Key Elements for Plant Nutrition02:35

Key Elements for Plant Nutrition

Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the...
24.3K