Identification and molecular characterization of Van A-type vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis in Northeast of Brazil

The isolation of vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE) in Brazil has rapidly increased, following the world wide tendency. We report in the present study the first isolation of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) in the Northeast of Brazil. The four VRE isolates were characterized for antimicrobial susceptibility, genotypic typing by macro restriction of chromosomal DNA followed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and for characterization of the Tn1546-like element and plasmid contents. The isolates showed resistance to multiple antibiotics and a single genotype profile, suggesting the dissemination of a single clone among the patients. Tn1546 associated to genetic elements as plasmids shows the importance of infection control measures to avoid the spreading of glycopetide resistance by conjugative transfer of VanA elements.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Vilela,Marinalda Anselmo, Souza,Sandra Lavareda de, Palazzo,Izabel Cristina Vanzato, Ferreira,Joseane Cristina, Morais Jr,Marcos Antonio de, Darini,Ana Lúcia da Costa, Morais,Márcia Maria Camargo de
Format:	Digital revista
Language:	English
Published:	Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Ministério da Saúde 2006
Online Access:	http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0074-02762006000700002
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