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Simple Summary: Enterococci are among the most responsible agents for nosocomial infections and are globally prevalent antibiotic-resistant microorganisms. The risk of calves being fed colostrum contaminated with these bacteria or antimicrobial-resistant bacteria, leading to the colonization of their gastrointestinal tract, is a concern of public health. The objective of this study was to investigate whether bovine colostrum can act as a reservoir and vehicle for the dissemination of antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus spp. via the food chain. The sensitivity to 14 antibiotics using the disk diffusion method, as well as the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes and virulence genes, were analyzed in calf colostrum samples. E. faecalis, E. faecium and E. gallinarum were identified in the colostrum samples. The results demonstrated a very high percentage (92.1%) of isolates classified as multidrug-resistant (≥3 antimicrobial classes). Additionally, 52% of the isolates showed the presence of ≥4 virulence genes. E. faecium was most likely to carry erythromycin and tetracycline resistance genes, as well as virulence genes. This study revealed that colostrum serves as a reservoir and/or vehicle for the spread of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes. These results have to be analyzed in a One Health perspective to better combat this spread to humans, other animals and the environment. Enterococci are considered among the most prevalent global multidrug-resistant microorganisms globally. Their dissemination is a global concern, particularly by food-producing animals for both animals and humans. The aim of this study was to identify the species and investigate the antibiotic resistance and virulence profile of Enterococcus in bovine colostrum. Out of 88 presumptive Enterococcus isolates, species identification and susceptibility to 14 antimicrobials were tested using the disk diffusion method. An analysis of the antibiotic resistance and virulence genes was performed on the most prevalent species, using specific PCR assays. Enterococcus faecalis (54.5%), E. faecium (14.8%) and E. gallinarum (6.8%) were the identified species. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of E. gallinarum in bovine colostrum. The majority of the isolates showed resistance to quinupristin-dalfopristin (95.9%), erythromycin (80.7%), tetracycline (80.7%) and streptomycin (58%). Ninety-two percent of isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant. The most frequently detected resistance genes were tet(K) (61.1%), tet(M) (75.9%), tet(L) (90.7%), erm(B) (55.6%) and ant(6)-Ia (46.3%). The most prevalent virulence factors were cpd, esp, agg and cylLL. Enterococcus faecium showed a higher probability of carrying the erm(C), tet(M), ace and gel(E) genes (p < 0.05). These results demonstrated that colostrum can constitute an important reservoir and vehicle for the dissemination of antibiotic resistance and virulence genes to the three niches included in a One Health perspective (humans, animals and the environment), highlighting the importance of hygiene sanitary measures to mitigate colostrum microbial contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Numerous studies have already reported the presence of different antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus species in food-producing animals, animal products and pet food. However, studies specifically evaluating antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus spp. in ornamental animals and their food are scarce. Therefore, this study aimed to identify Enterococcus spp. and their antibiotic-resistant patterns in ornamental animal feed, as this could lead to the spread of antimicrobial resistance to humans due to their close contact with these animals. Enterococcus is a bacterial genus that is strongly associated with nosocomial infections and has a high capacity to transfer and acquire resistance genes. In this study, the main objective was to evaluate the presence of Enterococcus species in ornamental animal feed and characterize their antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using 14 antimicrobial agents by the disk diffusion method, complemented by genotypic analysis to identify Enterococcus species and the presence of 14 antimicrobial resistance and 10 virulence genes. From 57 samples of ornamental animal feed, 103 Enterococcus isolates were recovered from 15 bird, 9 fish and 4 reptile feed samples. Enterococcus isolates were highly resistance to rifampicin (78%) and erythromycin (48%), and 48% of isolates were classified as multidrug-resistant. Enterococcus faecalis (36.7%) and E. faecium (31.7%) were the species most frequently identified. Most isolates carried the resistance genes ermB (57%) and tetL (52%) and the virulence genes, cylL (52%) and esp (40%). Enterococcus gallinarum was the species with the highest number of multidrug-resistant isolates (50%) and virulence genes (80%). These results highlight the high levels of antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus spp. present in ornamental animal feed and the growing interaction of these animals with humans as a public health concern. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]