151. Global spread of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium from distinct nosocomial genetic complex.
- Author
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Willems RJ, Top J, van Santen M, Robinson DA, Coque TM, Baquero F, Grundmann H, and Bonten MJ
- Subjects
- Africa epidemiology, Animals, Australia epidemiology, Bacterial Proteins genetics, Bacterial Proteins metabolism, Cats, Cattle, Cross Infection epidemiology, Cross Infection microbiology, Dogs, Enterococcus faecium classification, Enterococcus faecium genetics, Enterococcus faecium pathogenicity, Europe epidemiology, Evolution, Molecular, Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections epidemiology, Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections microbiology, Humans, North America epidemiology, Penicillin Resistance, Recombination, Genetic, South America epidemiology, Cross Infection transmission, Enterococcus faecium drug effects, Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections transmission, Vancomycin Resistance
- Abstract
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have caused hospital outbreaks worldwide, and the vancomycin-resistance gene (vanA) has crossed genus boundaries to methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Spread of VRE, therefore, represents an immediate threat for patient care and creates a reservoir of mobile resistance genes for other, more virulent pathogens. Evolutionary genetics, population structure, and geographic distribution of 411 VRE and vancomycin-susceptible Enterococcus faecium isolates, recovered from human and nonhuman sources and community and hospital reservoirs in 5 continents, identified a genetic lineage of E. faecium (complex-17) that has spread globally. This lineage is characterized by 1) ampicillin resistance, 2) a pathogenicity island, and 3) an association with hospital outbreaks. Complex-17 is an example of cumulative evolutionary processes that improved the relative fitness of bacteria in hospital environments. Preventing further spread of this epidemic E. faecium subpopulation is critical, and efforts should focus on the early disclosure of ampicillin-resistant complex-17 strains.
- Published
- 2005
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