Vancomycin Resistance in Enterococcus and Staphylococcus aureus

Gen Li; Mark J Walker; David M P De Oliveira

doi:10.3390/microorganisms11010024

Vancomycin Resistance in Enterococcus and Staphylococcus aureus

Microorganisms. 2022 Dec 21;11(1):24. doi: 10.3390/microorganisms11010024.

Authors

Gen Li¹, Mark J Walker¹, David M P De Oliveira¹

Affiliation

¹ School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Infectious Diseases Research Centre, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia.

Abstract

Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium and Staphylococcus aureus are both common commensals and major opportunistic human pathogens. In recent decades, these bacteria have acquired broad resistance to several major classes of antibiotics, including commonly employed glycopeptides. Exemplified by resistance to vancomycin, glycopeptide resistance is mediated through intrinsic gene mutations, and/or transferrable van resistance gene cassette-carrying mobile genetic elements. Here, this review will discuss the epidemiology of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus and S. aureus in healthcare, community, and agricultural settings, explore vancomycin resistance in the context of van and non-van mediated resistance development and provide insights into alternative therapeutic approaches aimed at treating drug-resistant Enterococcus and S. aureus infections.

Keywords: Enterococcus; Staphylococcus aureus; antibiotic; drug-resistance; vancomycin.

Publication types

Review

Grants and funding

This research was supported by The University of Queensland Research Training Tuition Fee Offset and Research Training Stipend scholarships, and the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia.