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Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
Epidemiological profiles and pathogenicity of Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium clinical isolates in Taiwan
Pei-Yun Lin1, Shang-Yih Chan2,3,4, Arnold Stern5
1Department of Laboratory, Taipei City Hospital, Yang-Ming Branch, Taipei, Taiwan.
Abstract:
The emerging Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE-fm) is an opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial infections. The identification of VRE-fm is important for successful prevention and control in healthcare settings. VRE-fm clinical isolates obtained from regional hospitals in northern Taiwan were characterized for antimicrobial susceptibility, virulence genes and biofilm production. Most isolates exhibited multi-drug resistance and carried the virulence genes, esp and hyl. While all isolates produce biofilms, those isolates that carried esp exhibited greater biofilm production. Isolates with different virulence gene carriages were examined for pathogenicity by using a nematode model, Caenorhabditis elegans, for determining microbial-host interactions. The survival assay showed that C. elegans was susceptible to Linezolid-resistant VRE-fm isolates with hyl. Combining the molecular epidemiological profiles regarding pathogenesis in C. elegans can serve as a guide for physicians in limiting opportunistic infections caused by VRE-fm.
Insights
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE-fm) causes hospital infections. This study characterized VRE-fm isolates, finding multi-drug resistance and virulence genes, aiding in infection control strategies.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Molecular Epidemiology
Background:
- Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE-fm) is a significant opportunistic pathogen responsible for healthcare-associated infections.
- Effective prevention and control of VRE-fm in clinical settings necessitate accurate identification and characterization.
- Understanding VRE-fm's resistance mechanisms and virulence factors is crucial for managing infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize clinical isolates of VRE-fm from northern Taiwan.
- To assess antimicrobial susceptibility, virulence gene carriage, and biofilm production.
- To evaluate the pathogenicity of VRE-fm isolates using a Caenorhabditis elegans model.
Main Methods:
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed on VRE-fm clinical isolates.
- Virulence genes (esp, hyl) and biofilm production were analyzed.
- Pathogenicity was assessed through survival assays in the C. elegans nematode model.
Main Results:
- Most VRE-fm isolates displayed multi-drug resistance and carried the esp and hyl virulence genes.
- All isolates produced biofilms, with esp-carrying isolates showing enhanced production.
- C. elegans survival assays indicated susceptibility to Linezolid-resistant VRE-fm isolates harboring hyl.
Conclusions:
- Molecular epidemiological data combined with C. elegans pathogenicity studies provide insights into VRE-fm virulence.
- This approach can guide clinicians in mitigating opportunistic VRE-fm infections.
- Characterization of VRE-fm is vital for developing targeted prevention and treatment strategies.
