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Updated: Aug 28, 2025

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
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Exploring the mobilome and resistome of Enterococcus faecium in a One Health context across two continents

Haley Sanderson1, Kristen L Gray2, Alexander Manuele3,4

  • 1Vaccine and Infectious Disease Organization, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.

Microbial Genomics
|September 21, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Enterococcus faecium is increasing, with mobile genetic elements (MGEs) driving the spread of resistance genes. This study reveals habitat-specific associations of MGEs and resistance, highlighting a potential new human-associated ecotype.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Enterococcus faecium is an opportunistic pathogen with rising antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
  • Resistance and virulence genes are often located on mobile genetic elements (MGEs), facilitating their spread.
  • Understanding the genomic features and MGEs in E. faecium is crucial for combating AMR.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To profile resistance determinants, virulence factors, and MGEs in a large set of E. faecium genomes.
  • To investigate the geographic and habitat-associated distribution of these features.
  • To identify potential new ecotypes and understand the evolutionary dynamics of E. faecium.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing of 1273 E. faecium isolates from the UK and Canada.
  • Analysis of resistance genes, virulence factors, and MGEs.
  • Comparative genomic analysis to identify associations with geography and habitat.

Main Results:

  • Neither E. faecium lineages (Type A and B) nor MGEs showed geographic constraints.
  • Strong associations were observed between specific genes/MGEs and habitats.
  • A distinct group of clinical and wastewater genomes suggested a novel human-associated ecotype within Type A.

Conclusions:

  • E. faecium's evolutionary adaptability poses a high risk for new pathogenic variants and resistance combinations.
  • Habitat, rather than geography, strongly influences the distribution of key genetic features.
  • The study proposes an MGE-centric surveillance workflow for AMR in Enterococcus applicable to other pathogens.

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