Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
J Appl Microbiol. 2012 Nov;113(5):1184-95. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2672.2012.05406.x. Epub 2012 Aug 20.
This study determined the risk factors and characteristics of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) among individuals working with animals in Malaysia.
Targeted cross-sectional studies accompanied with laboratory analysis for the identification and characterization of resistance and virulence genes and with genotype of VRE were performed. VRE were detected in 9·4% (95% CI: 6·46-13·12) of the sampled populations. Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus gallinarum were isolated, and vanA was detected in 70% of the isolates. Enterococcus faecalis with vanB was obtained from one foreign poultry worker. At least one virulence gene was detected in >50% of Ent. faecium and Ent. faecalis isolates. The esp and gelE genes were common among Ent. faecium (58·3%) and Ent. faecalis (78%), respectively. The VRE species showed diverse RAPD profiles with some clustering of strains based on the individual's background. However, the risk factors found to be significantly associated with the prevalence of VRE were age (OR: 5·39, 95% CI: 1·98-14·61) and previous hospitalization (OR: 4·06, 95% CI: 1·33-12·35).
VRE species isolated from individuals in this study have high level of vancomycin resistance, were genetically diverse and possessed the virulence traits. Age of individuals and history of hospitalization rather than occupational background determined VRE colonization.
This study provides comprehensive findings on the epidemiological and molecular features of VRE among healthy individuals working with animals.
本研究旨在确定马来西亚从事动物相关工作人群中耐万古霉素肠球菌（VRE）的危险因素和特征。
我们进行了靶向横断面研究，包括实验室分析以鉴定和分析耐药性和毒力基因以及 VRE 的基因型。在抽样人群中检测到 9.4%（95%CI：6.46-13.12）的 VRE。分离出屎肠球菌、粪肠球菌和鸡肠球菌，其中 70%的分离株检测到 vanA。从一名外国家禽工人中获得了携带 vanB 的粪肠球菌。超过 50%的屎肠球菌和粪肠球菌分离株检测到至少一种毒力基因。esp 和 gelE 基因在屎肠球菌（58.3%）和粪肠球菌（78%）中较为常见。VRE 种系显示出不同的 RAPD 图谱，根据个体背景对一些菌株进行聚类。然而，与 VRE 流行相关的显著危险因素是年龄（OR：5.39，95%CI：1.98-14.61）和既往住院史（OR：4.06，95%CI：1.33-12.35）。
本研究从个体中分离出的 VRE 种系具有高水平的万古霉素耐药性，遗传多样性，并具有毒力特征。个体的年龄和住院史而不是职业背景决定了 VRE 的定植。
本研究提供了关于从事动物相关工作的健康个体中 VRE 的流行病学和分子特征的全面发现。
