Detection and genetic characterisation of vanA-containing Enterococcus strains in healthy Lusitano horses.
Abstract: Lusitano horses were investigated in order to detect the presence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci. vanA isolates showed high level vancomycin (Minimum inhibitory concentration; MIC > or = 128 mg/l) and teicoplanin resistance (MIC 64 mg/l), as well as resistance to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin and tetracycline. The tet(L) and erm(B) genes, associated with tetracycline and erythromycin resistance, respectively, were found in all vanA isolates. The intestinal tract of Lusitano horses can be a potential reservoir for vanA-containing enterococci.
Publication Date: 2010-02-17 PubMed ID: 20156257DOI: 10.2746/042516409X480386Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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The research article focuses on the detection and genetic characterization of vanA-containing, antibiotic-resistant Enterococcus strains in Lusitano horses, indicating these horses could be potential reservoirs for such bacteria.
Objective of the Research
The main aim of the study was to investigate the presence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci, specifically those containing the vanA gene, in Lusitano horses. This gene is known to confer high-level resistance to the antibiotics vancomycin and teicoplanin.
- Vancomycin and teicoplanin are antibiotics used in treating infections caused by Gram-positive bacteria. High-level resistance to these drugs makes the treatment of infections caused by these bacteria challenging.
- The research becomes significant as Lusitano horses could potentially serve as reservoirs for these antibiotic-resistant bacterial strands, posing a threat to other horses and humans in close contact.
Findings of the Study
The investigation revealed that the vanA isolates in the horses showed considerable resistance to vancomycin, teicoplanin, as well as to other antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and tetracycline.
- The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), which is the lowest concentration of an antibiotic that prevents visible growth of a bacterium, was found to be ≥128mg/l for vancomycin and 64mg/l for teicoplanin, confirming the high-level antibiotic resistance.
- Apart from resistance to vancomycin and teicoplanin, the vanA isolates also showed resistance to other antibiotics such as ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, and tetracycline.
Genetic Characterization
The genetic characterization of the vanA isolates revealed the presence of tet(L) and erm(B) genes, which are associated with tetracycline and erythromycin resistance, respectively.
- All vanA isolates contained tet(L) and erm(B) genes, further confirming the multi-drug resistance property of these bacteria.
- The presence of these genes provides these bacteria the ability to withstand treatment with a range of antibiotics, making them a significant concern in public health.
The findings of this study suggest the need for further research to understand the implications and management of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in horses, and possibly other animals too, to mitigate potential risks to public health.
Cite This Article
APA
Moura I, Radhouani H, Torres C, Poeta P, Igrejas G.
(2010).
Detection and genetic characterisation of vanA-containing Enterococcus strains in healthy Lusitano horses.
Equine Vet J, 42(2), 181-183.
https://doi.org/10.2746/042516409X480386 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Veterinary Science Department, University of Trás-os-Montes and Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
- Bacterial Proteins / genetics
- Carbon-Oxygen Ligases / genetics
- Enterococcus / genetics
- Enterococcus / isolation & purification
- Feces / microbiology
- Horse Diseases / microbiology
- Horses
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests
- Teicoplanin / pharmacology
- Vancomycin / pharmacology
- Vancomycin Resistance / genetics
Citations
This article has been cited 5 times.- Ramos S, Silva V, Dapkevicius MLE, Igrejas G, Poeta P. Enterococci, from Harmless Bacteria to a Pathogen. Microorganisms 2020 Jul 25;8(8).
- Torres C, Alonso CA, Ruiz-Ripa L, León-Sampedro R, Del Campo R, Coque TM. Antimicrobial Resistance in Enterococcus spp. of animal origin. Microbiol Spectr 2018 Jul;6(4).
- Lauková A, Styková E, Kubašová I, Gancarčíková S, Plachá I, Mudroňová D, Kandričáková A, Miltko R, Belzecki G, Valocký I, Strompfová V. Enterocin M and its Beneficial Effects in Horses-a Pilot Experiment. Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins 2018 Sep;10(3):420-426.
- Shin E, Mduma S, Keyyu J, Fyumagwa R, Lee Y. An Investigation of Enterococcus Species Isolated from the African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. Microbes Environ 2017 Dec 27;32(4):402-406.
- Marinho CM, Santos T, Gonçalves A, Poeta P, Igrejas G. A Decade-Long Commitment to Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance in Portugal. Front Microbiol 2016;7:1650.
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