title: Molecular characterization of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium isolates from Bermuda.
abstract: Molecular characteristics of vancomycin resistant enterococci isolates from Bermuda Island is currently unknown. This study was conducted to investigate phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of VRE isolates from Bermuda Island using the chromogenic agar, E-tests, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Eighteen E. faecium isolates were completely analyzed and were all resistant to vancomycin, susceptible to linezolid and quinupristin/dalfopristin, positive for vanA and esp genes. The MLST analysis confirmed most isolates were of the sequence types linked to clonal complex 17 (CC17) that is widely associated with outbreaks in hospitals. Infection control measures, antibiotic stewardship, and surveillance activities will continue to be a priority in hospital on the Island.
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Paraclinical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago.
authors.forename: Patrick Eberechi
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Akpaka
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Paraclinical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad & Tobago.
authors.forename: Shivnarine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kissoon
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pathology and Microbiology, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Hamilton, Bermuda.
authors.forename: Clyde
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pathological Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada.
authors.forename: Padman
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Jayaratne
authors.affiliation: Dept. of Pharmacy, King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, Hamilton, Bermuda.
authors.forename: Ashley
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Public Health Agency of Canada, National Microbiology Laboratory, Winnipeg, Canada.
authors.forename: George R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Golding
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001605:Bermuda / Q000453:epidemiology; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D016984:Enterococcus faecium / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D058885:Multilocus Sequence Typing; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020713:Vancomycin Resistance
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin