Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. in marine environments from the West Coast of the USA.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine if vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. [VRE] carrying vanA and/or vanB genes were present in public marine beaches and a fishing pier [2001-2003, 2008] from Washington and California [2008].


METHODS
PCR assays for the vanA and/or vanB genes with verification by DNA-DNA hybridization of the PCR products were used. Positive isolates were speciated using the BD BBL Crystal Identification and/or by sequencing the 16S ribosomal region.


RESULTS
Eighteen (8%) of 227 isolates including Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus casseliflavus/gallinarum and a Staphylococcus epidermidis carrying vanA and/or vanB genes, from four of six Washington and one of two California sites, were identified. Selected VRE and the S. epidermidis were able to transfer their van genes to an E. faecalis recipient at frequencies ranging from 1.9 x 10(-6) to 6.7 x 10(-9).


CONCLUSIONS
Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. was isolated from five of the seven sites suggesting that other North America public beaches could be the reservoirs for VRE and should be assessed. SIGNIFICANCE & IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This is the first report of isolation and characterization of VRE strains (and a vanB Staphylococcus sp.) from North American environmental sources suggesting that public beaches may be a reservoir for possible transmission of VRE to beach visitors.
Roberts
M C
MC
Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA. marilynr@u.washington.edu
Soge
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Giardino
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Mazengia
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Meschke
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D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002140:California; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D016983:Enterococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000382:microbiology*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S / Q000235:genetics; D012623:Seawater / Q000382:microbiology*; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D013210:Staphylococcus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013307:Streptomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D020713:Vancomycin Resistance / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D014861:Washington
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012336:RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; D014640:Vancomycin; D012822:Silicon Dioxide; D013307:Streptomycin