This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowReprints and Permissions
Right arrow Copyright Information
Right arrow Books from ASM Press
Right arrow MicrobeWorld
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Woodford, N.
Right arrow Articles by Cookson, B. D.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Woodford, N.
Right arrow Articles by Cookson, B. D.

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, March 1998, p. 502-508, Vol. 42, No. 3
0066-4804/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.

Diversity of VanA Glycopeptide Resistance Elements in Enterococci from Humans and Nonhuman Sources

Neil Woodford,1,2,* Antoinette-Mary A. Adebiyi,1,2 Marie-France I. Palepou,1,2 and Barry D. Cookson2

Antibiotic Reference Unit1 and Laboratory of Hospital Infection,2 Central Public Health Laboratory, London NW9 5HT, United Kingdom

Received 10 July 1997/Returned for modification 15 October 1997/Accepted 26 November 1997

Elements mediating VanA glycopeptide resistance in 106 diverse enterococci from humans and nonhuman sources were compared with the prototype VanA transposon, Tn1546, in Enterococcus faecium BM4147. The isolates included 64 from individual patients at 15 hospitals in the United Kingdom (isolated between 1987 and 1996) and 42 from nonhuman sources in the United Kingdom (27 from raw meat, 7 from animal feces, and 8 from sewage). VanA elements were assigned to 24 groups (designated groups A to X) with primers that amplified 10 overlapping fragments of Tn1546. Ten groups of elements were found only in human enterococci, eight groups of elements were unique to nonhuman strains, and six groups of elements were common in enterococci from all sources. Elements indistinguishable from Tn1546 (group A) were observed more frequently in enterococci from nonhuman sources (34 versus 9%) but were identified in enterococci that caused outbreaks in hospital patients between 1987 and 1995. The most common group found in human enterococci (group H; 33%) was rarely observed in enterococci from other sources (5%). Group H elements differed from Tn1546 in three regions and included a novel insertion sequence, designated IS1542, between orf2 and vanR. The VanA elements of 14 other groups had a similar insertion at this position and/or distinct insertions at other positions. We conclude that VanA elements in enterococci are heterogeneous, although all show regions of homology with Tn1546. Furthermore, the elements most common among the human and nonhuman enterococci studied were different. This approach may be useful for monitoring the evolution of VanA resistance and may also be applicable in local "snapshot" epidemiological studies. However, as transposition events involving insertion sequences accounted for the differences observed between several groups, the stability of the elements must be assessed before their true epidemiological significance can be determined.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Antibiotic Reference Unit, CPHL, 61 Colindale Ave., London NW9 5HT, United Kingdom. Phone: 44-181-200-4400. Fax: 44-181-200-7449. E-mail: nwoodfor{at}phls.co.uk or nwoodfor{at}hgmp.mrc.ac.uk.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, March 1998, p. 502-508, Vol. 42, No. 3
0066-4804/98/$04.00+0
Copyright © 1998, American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.


This article has been cited by other articles:

  • Freitas, A. R., Novais, C., Ruiz-Garbajosa, P., Coque, T. M., Peixe, L. (2009). Dispersion of Multidrug-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Isolates Belonging to Major Clonal Complexes in Different Portuguese Settings. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 75: 4904-4908 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Freitas, A. R., Novais, C., Ruiz-Garbajosa, P., Coque, T. M., Peixe, L. (2009). Clonal expansion within clonal complex 2 and spread of vancomycin-resistant plasmids among different genetic lineages of Enterococcus faecalis from Portugal. J Antimicrob Chemother 63: 1104-1111 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Nilsson, O., Greko, C., Top, J., Franklin, A., Bengtsson, B. (2009). Spread without known selective pressure of a vancomycin-resistant clone of Enterococcus faecium among broilers. J Antimicrob Chemother 63: 868-872 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Novais, C., Freitas, A. R., Sousa, J. C., Baquero, F., Coque, T. M., Peixe, L. V. (2008). Diversity of Tn1546 and Its Role in the Dissemination of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in Portugal. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 52: 1001-1008 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Talebi, M., Pourshafie, M. R., Katouli, M., Mollby, R. (2008). Molecular Structure and Transferability of Tn1546-Like Elements in Enterococcus faecium Isolates from Clinical, Sewage, and Surface Water Samples in Iran. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 74: 1350-1356 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Park, I. J., Lee, W. G., Lim, Y. A., Cho, S. R. (2007). Genetic Rearrangements of Tn1546-Like Elements in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Isolates Collected from Hospitalized Patients over a Seven-Year Period. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45: 3903-3908 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Zheng, B., Tomita, H., Xiao, Y. H., Wang, S., Li, Y., Ike, Y. (2007). Molecular Characterization of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Isolates from Mainland China. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45: 2813-2818 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Biavasco, F., Foglia, G., Paoletti, C., Zandri, G., Magi, G., Guaglianone, E., Sundsfjord, A., Pruzzo, C., Donelli, G., Facinelli, B. (2007). VanA-Type Enterococci from Humans, Animals, and Food: Species Distribution, Population Structure, Tn1546 Typing and Location, and Virulence Determinants. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 73: 3307-3319 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Coque, T. M., Willems, R. J. L., Fortun, J., Top, J., Diz, S., Loza, E., Canton, R., Baquero, F. (2005). Population Structure of Enterococcus faecium Causing Bacteremia in a Spanish University Hospital: Setting the Scene for a Future Increase in Vancomycin Resistance?. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 49: 2693-2700 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Novais, C., Sousa, J. C., Coque, T. M., Peixe, L. V., The Portuguese Resistance Study Group, (2005). Molecular Characterization of Glycopeptide-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Isolates from Portuguese Hospitals. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 49: 3073-3079 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Novais, C., Coque, T. M., Ferreira, H., Sousa, J. C., Peixe, L. (2005). Environmental Contamination with Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci from Hospital Sewage in Portugal. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71: 3364-3368 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Novais, C., Coque, T. M., Sousa, J. C., Baquero, F., Peixe, L. (2004). Local Genetic Patterns within a Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecalis Clone Isolated in Three Hospitals in Portugal. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 48: 3613-3617 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Huh, J. Y., Lee, W. G., Lee, K., Shin, W. S., Yoo, J. H. (2004). Distribution of Insertion Sequences Associated with Tn1546-Like Elements among Enterococcus faecium Isolates from Patients in Korea. J. Clin. Microbiol. 42: 1897-1902 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Guardabassi, L., Dalsgaard, A. (2004). Occurrence, Structure, and Mobility of Tn1546-Like Elements in Environmental Isolates of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 70: 984-990 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Phillips, I., Casewell, M., Cox, T., De Groot, B., Friis, C., Jones, R., Nightingale, C., Preston, R., Waddell, J. (2004). Does the use of antibiotics in food animals pose a risk to human health? A critical review of published data. J Antimicrob Chemother 53: 28-52 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Bustamante, W., Alpizar, A., Hernandez, S., Pacheco, A., Vargas, N., Herrera, M. L., Vargas, A., Caballero, M., Garcia, F. (2003). Predominance of vanA Genotype among Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Isolates from Poultry and Swine in Costa Rica. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 69: 7414-7419 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Foglia, G., Del Grosso, M., Vignaroli, C., Bagnarelli, P., Varaldo, P. E., Pantosti, A., Biavasco, F. (2003). Molecular analysis of Tn1546-like elements mediating high-level vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus gallinarum. J Antimicrob Chemother 52: 772-775 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Yu, H.-S., Seol, S.-Y., Cho, D.-T. (2003). Diversity of Tn1546-Like Elements in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Isolated from Humans and Poultry in Korea. J. Clin. Microbiol. 41: 2641-2643 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Manson, J. M., Keis, S., Smith, J. M. B., Cook, G. M. (2003). A Clonal Lineage of VanA-Type Enterococcus faecalis Predominates in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Isolated in New Zealand. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 47: 204-210 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Simjee, S., White, D. G., McDermott, P. F., Wagner, D. D., Zervos, M. J., Donabedian, S. M., English, L. L., Hayes, J. R., Walker, R. D. (2002). Characterization of Tn1546 in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Isolated from Canine Urinary Tract Infections: Evidence of Gene Exchange between Human and Animal Enterococci. J. Clin. Microbiol. 40: 4659-4665 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Bruinsma, N., Willems, R. J. L., van den Bogaard, A. E., van Santen-Verheuvel, M., London, N., Driessen, C., Stobberingh, E. E. (2002). Different Levels of Genetic Homogeneity in Vancomycin-Resistant and -Susceptible Enterococcus faecium Isolates from Different Human and Animal Sources Analyzed by Amplified-Fragment Length Polymorphism. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 46: 2779-2783 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • van den Bogaard, A. E., Willems, R., London, N., Top, J., Stobberingh, E. E. (2002). Antibiotic resistance of faecal enterococci in poultry, poultry farmers and poultry slaughterers. J Antimicrob Chemother 49: 497-505 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • DEMERTZI, E., PALEPOU, M-F.I., KAUFMANN, M.E., AVLAMIS, A., WOODFORD, N. (2001). Characterisation of VanA and VanB elements from glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium from Greece. J Med Microbiol 50: 682-687 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Lu, J.-J., Perng, C.-L., Ho, M.-F., Chiueh, T.-S., Lee, W.-H. (2001). High Prevalence of VanB2 Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium in Taiwan. J. Clin. Microbiol. 39: 2140-2145 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Brown, A. R., Townsley, A. C., Amyes, S. G. B. (2001). Diversity of Tn1546 Elements in Clinical Isolates of Glycopeptide-Resistant Enterococci from Scottish Hospitals. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 45: 1309-1311 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Schouten, M. A., Willems, R. J. L., Kraak, W. A. G., Top, J., Hoogkamp-Korstanje, J. A. A., Voss, A. (2001). Molecular Analysis of Tn1546-Like Elements in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Isolated from Patients in Europe Shows Geographic Transposon Type Clustering. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 45: 986-989 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Kariyama, R., Kumon, H., Hammerum, A. M., Aarestrup, F. M., Jensen, L. B. (2001). Identification of a Tn1546-Like (Type 2) Element in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Isolated from Hospitalized Patients in Japan. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 45: 992-993 [Full Text]  
  • Tremlett, C. H., Brown, D. F. J., Palepou, M.-F. I., Woodford, N. (2001). Two Structurally Distinct VanA Resistance Elements at Different Locations in a Glycopeptide-Resistant Strain of Enterococcus faecalis.. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 45: 996-997 [Full Text]  
  • Robredo, B., Torres, C., Singh, K. V., Murray, B. E. (2000). Molecular Analysis of Tn1546 in vanA-Containing Enterococcus spp. Isolated from Humans and Poultry. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 44: 2588-2589 [Full Text]  
  • Kawalec, M., Gniadkowski, M., Hryniewicz, W. (2000). Outbreak of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci in a Hospital in Gdansk, Poland, due to Horizontal Transfer of Different Tn1546-Like Transposon Variants and Clonal Spread of Several Strains. J. Clin. Microbiol. 38: 3317-3322 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Donabedian, S., Hershberger, E., Thal, L. A., Chow, J. W., Clewell, D. B., Robinson-Dunn, B., Zervos, M. J. (2000). PCR Fragment Length Polymorphism Analysis of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium. J. Clin. Microbiol. 38: 2885-2888 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Aarestrup, F. M. (2000). Characterization of Glycopeptide-Resistant Enterococcus faecium (GRE) from Broilers and Pigs in Denmark: Genetic Evidence that Persistence of GRE in Pig Herds Is Associated with Coselection by Resistance to Macrolides. J. Clin. Microbiol. 38: 2774-2777 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Darini, A. L. C., Palepou, M.-F. I., Woodford, N. (2000). Effects of the Movement of Insertion Sequences on the Structure of VanA Glycopeptide Resistance Elements in Enterococcus faecium. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 44: 1362-1364 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Murray, B. E. (2000). Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcal Infections. NEJM 342: 710-721 [Full Text]  
  • Stobberingh, E., van den Bogaard, A., London, N., Driessen, C., Top, J., Willems, R. (1999). Enterococci with Glycopeptide Resistance in Turkeys, Turkey Farmers, Turkey Slaughterers, and (Sub)Urban Residents in the South of The Netherlands: Evidence for Transmission of Vancomycin Resistance from Animals to Humans?. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 43: 2215-2221 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Descheemaeker, P. R. M., Chapelle, S., Devriese, L. A., Butaye, P., Vandamme, P., Goossens, H. (1999). Comparison of Glycopeptide-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Isolates and Glycopeptide Resistance Genes of Human and Animal Origins. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 43: 2032-2037 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Dahl, K. H., Simonsen, G. S., Olsvik, O., Sundsfjord, A. (1999). Heterogeneity in the vanB Gene Cluster of Genomically Diverse Clinical Strains of Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 43: 1105-1110 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • da Costa Darini, A. L., Palepou, M.-F. I., James, D., Woodford, N. (1999). Disruption of vanS by IS1216V in a Clinical Isolate of Enterococcus faecium with VanA Glycopeptide Resistance. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 43: 995-996 [Full Text]  
  • Willems, R. J. L., Top, J., van den Braak, N., van Belkum, A., Mevius, D. J., Hendriks, G., van Santen-Verheuvel, M., van Embden, J. D. A. (1999). Molecular Diversity and Evolutionary Relationships of Tn1546-Like Elements in Enterococci from Humans and Animals. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 43: 483-491 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Jensen, L. B., Hammerum, A. M., Poulsen, R. L., Westh, H. (1999). Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium Strains with Highly Similar Pulsed-Field Gel Electrophoresis Patterns Containing Similar Tn1546-Like Elements Isolated from a Hospitalized Patient and Pigs in Denmark. Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 43: 724-725 [Full Text]  
  • Tremlett, C. H., Brown, D. F. J., Woodford, N. (1999). Variation in Structure and Location of VanA Glycopeptide Resistance Elements among Enterococci from a Single Patient. J. Clin. Microbiol. 37: 818-820 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
  • Schoonmaker, D. J., Bopp, L. H., Baltch, A. L., Smith, R. P., Rafferty, M. E., George, M. (1998). Genetic Analysis of Multiple Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus Isolates Obtained Serially from Two Long-Term-Care Patients. J. Clin. Microbiol. 36: 2105-2108 [Abstract] [Full Text]  


Copyright © 2009 by the American Society for Microbiology.   For an alternate route to Journals.ASM.org, visit: http://intl-journals.asm.org | More Info»