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Mobile genetic elements beyond the VanB-resistance dissemination among hospital-associated enterococci and other

Ewa Sadowy1

  • 1Department of Molecular Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, Warsaw, Poland.

Plasmid
|January 20, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Vancomycin resistance in enterococci is a growing concern, primarily driven by the vanB operon. Understanding the genetic elements and spread mechanisms is crucial for combating this threat.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Increasing vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium poses a significant clinical challenge.
  • The vanB operon is a key genetic determinant responsible for this resistance.
  • These resistance genes are often found within mobile genetic elements like conjugative transposons (e.g., Tn1549-type) and integrative conjugative elements.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the diversity of genetic elements carrying vanB determinants in hospital-associated Enterococcus strains.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms responsible for the spread of vanB determinants in Enterococcus populations.
  • To provide an overview of vanB-mobile genetic element distribution in other enterococci and Gram-positive bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review focusing on genetic elements harboring vanB determinants.
  • Analysis of mechanisms driving the horizontal dissemination of vanB genes.
  • Examination of vanB-mobile genetic element distribution across various bacterial species.

Main Results:

  • VanB determinants are located in diverse genetic elements, including Tn1549-type transposons and ICEEfaV583-type structures.
  • These elements vary in structure, size, and location (chromosome or plasmids).
  • Conjugative transposition, chromosomal recombination, and plasmid transfer are key mechanisms for vanB spread.

Conclusions:

  • The diversity of genetic elements and spread mechanisms contributes to the prevalence of vancomycin resistance.
  • Understanding these elements and mechanisms is vital for developing strategies against vancomycin-resistant enterococci.
  • Other enterococci and Gram-positive bacteria may act as reservoirs for vanB genes.
Keywords:
HiRECCPlasmidRecombinationTranspositionVRE

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