Antimicrobial Resistance in Porcine Enterococci in Australia and the Ramifications for Human Health

• DOI: 10.1128/aem.03037-20
• Publication Date: 2021-03-15T13:33:36Z
• Authors: Terence Lee; David Jordan; Shafi Sahibzada; Rebecca Abraham; Stanley Pang; Geoffrey W. Coombs; Mark O’Dea; Sam Abraham
• Keywords: Enterococcus faecium; Teicoplanin; Linezolid; Dalfopristin

Enterococci are ubiquitous opportunistic pathogens that have become a major public health issue globally. The increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in hospital-adapted enterococci had been thought to originate from livestock. However, this association between livestock and is currently unclear. This study investigates the susceptibilities isolated pig cecal samples compares genomic characteristics Enterococcus faecium pigs those isolates meat chickens human sepsis cases. From 200 samples, susceptibility testing was performed for E. (n = 84), hirae 36), faecalis 17). Whole-genome sequencing all isolates, sequences were compared previously studied cases through bioinformatics analysis. Resistance (non-wild type) erythromycin, gentamicin, tetracycline, ampicillin, daptomycin, virginiamycin, quinupristin-dalfopristin identified. More importantly, except single isolate harboring vanC operon, no observed three species vancomycin, teicoplanin, linezolid, which critically important antimicrobials used treat enterococcal infections humans. genetically distinct more closely related. Human strains related not typical "hospital-adapted strains" as results show Australian finisher source part current population.IMPORTANCE linezolid found collected pigs. some observed. In particular, quinupristin-dalfopristin, combination two streptogramin class antimicrobials, identified despite absence use Australia-wide since 2005. Other among include chloramphenicol, tetracycline resistance. Genomic comparison previous studies on humans indicate similar than chickens. Despite increased genetic similarities, phylogenetically did belong dominant sequence types causing Therefore, Australia.