| Title: | Biofilm formation and transfer of a streptomycin resistance gene in enterococci from fermented pork |
| Author(s): | Chotinantakul K; Chansiw N; Okada S; |
| Address: | "School of Medicine, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, Thailand. Division of Hematopoiesis, Joint Research Center for Human Retrovirus Infection & Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto, Japan. Electronic address: okadas@kumamoto-u.ac.jp" |
| DOI: | 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.04.016 |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 2213-7173 (Electronic) 2213-7165 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "OBJECTIVES: Multidrug-resistant (MDR) enterococci are found extensively in food samples. This study characterized the phenotypic virulence factors and the ability of horizontal gene transfer of a streptomycin resistance gene among enterococci isolated from fermented pork. METHODS: Thirty-six MDR enterococci were subjected to screening of gelatinase, biofilm formation at various temperatures (4 degrees C, 25 degrees C and 37 degrees C), clumping ability and conjugation. RESULTS: All gelatinase-positive and clumping-positive strains were Enterococcus faecalis (41.7% and 38.9%, respectively). None of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus hirae demonstrated both phenotypes. Moderate and strong biofilm formations were found mostly at optimal temperatures in all the three species tested. However, moderate and weak biofilm formations could be found in 52.8% at 4 degrees C. No association was observed between biofilm formation and asa1, efaA, gelE and esp genes. Surprisingly, our data revealed evidence of the streptomycin resistance gene (aadE) being transferred among meat E. faecalis isolates as characterized by the pheromone-clumping response. CONCLUSIONS: Here we report the co-existence of some virulence factors and MDR enterococci from fermented pork. Our data demonstrated for the first time that the aadE gene could be transferred via conjugation among enterococci isolated from meat, contributing to streptomycin resistance. This study highlights the importance of horizontal gene transfer within the food chain reservoir and that transfer to humans might be possible, causing harm or untreatable diseases" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology Biofilms Drug Resistance, Bacterial Enterococcus/genetics Humans *Pork Meat *Red Meat Streptomycin/pharmacology Swine Antimicrobial resistance Biofilm formation Enterococcus Streptomycin resistance aadE;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineChotinantakul, Kamonnaree Chansiw, Nittaya Okada, Seiji eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Netherlands 2020/04/28 J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 2020 Sep; 22:434-440. doi: 10.1016/j.jgar.2020.04.016. Epub 2020 Apr 24" |
