Vancomycin-resistant enterococci with vanA and vanB genes in Australian gulls

Environ Microbiol Rep. 2017 Jun;9(3):316-318. doi: 10.1111/1758-2229.12542. Epub 2017 May 9.

Abstract

This study is revealing the possible dissemination of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) from humans into the wildlife. We studied silver gulls (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae) in Australia as potential carriers and reservoirs of VRE with acquired vancomycin resistance. In New South Wales (Australia), we have found two multi-resistant isolates belonging to Enterococcus faecium (sequence type 341, vanB genotype) and Enterococcus dispar (vanA genotype). Based on our knowledge, this is the first report of VRE in Australian wildlife.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Australia
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Carbon-Oxygen Ligases / genetics*
  • Charadriiformes / microbiology*
  • Disease Vectors
  • Enterococcus faecium / drug effects
  • Enterococcus faecium / genetics*
  • Enterococcus faecium / isolation & purification
  • Vancomycin Resistance / genetics*
  • Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci / genetics*
  • Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci / isolation & purification*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • VanA ligase, Bacteria
  • Carbon-Oxygen Ligases