Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis in Serbia.
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Enterococcus faecalis↗
Biomedical subjects
Susan Donabedian
Publications and source records attributed to Susan Donabedian.
Quinupristin-dalfopristin resistance in gram-positive bacteria: mechanism of resistance and epidemiology.
Antimicrobial resistance in gram-positive bacteria is a continuing problem resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, and cost. Because of this resistance, new antimicrobial agents have been needed. Quinupristin-dalfopristin is a recently approved agent for treatment of these infections. Shortly after its introduction into clinical medicine, resistance was reported. Resistance can occur by one or more of several mechanisms, including enzymatic modification, active transport of efflux mediated by an adenosine triphosphate-binding protein, and alteration of the target site. Resistance is rare in isolates of staphylococci and Enterococcus faecium from humans. Resistance is common in isolates recovered from food animals and is related to the use of virginiamicin as a feed additive. Considering the effect antimicrobial resistance has on human health, as well as its economic impact, measures to preserve the usefulness of these agents and delay the development of resistance are urgently needed.
Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
Antimicrobial resistance in swine and chickens fed virginiamycin for growth promotion.
In a prospective controlled study, we evaluated pigs (5-month period) and chickens (11-week period) fed subtherapeutic levels of virginiamycin. A total of 13 Enterococcus faecium were isolated from 10 pigs and 17 from 8 chickens. There were 8 pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) patterns in E. faecium isolates from pigs and 17 from chickens. Resistance to quinupristin/dalfopristin resistance occurred in 2 of 13 E. faecium from pigs and 2 of 17 E. faecium from chickens. There were no strains exhibiting high-level gentamicin (MIC> or =2000 microg/ml) or vancomycin resistance. There was no relative weight gain in animals that received virginiamycin. The mean weight increase for the pigs in the group fed virginiamycin was 107.6 lb vs. 126.4 lb in the group that did not receive virginiamycin (P=n.s.). Chickens fed virginiamycin had a mean weight increase of 1672 g vs. 1886 g in the group that did not receive virginiamycin (P=n.s.). There was no correlation between receipt of virginiamycin or weight gain and presence of quinupristin/dalfopristin-resistant strains.
Animals↗