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PubMed2006

Effect of solar radiation on survival of indicator bacteria in bathing waters.

Sunlight exposure is considered to be the most important cause of "natural disinfection" in surface water environments. The UV-B portion of the solar spectrum is the most bactericidal, causing direct (photo-biological) DNA damage. In the present experimental study, the effect of solar radiation on the elimination of bacteria in water, especially in surface water, was studied. The influence of depth and UV-B transmittance of water was determined. Comparing Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis proved to be the most resistant organism. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was shown to be the most sensitive indicator bacterium among the tested microorganisms. Results show a significant correlation between radiation intensity and reduction rates. Best elimination of microorganisms occurs on the water surface; with increasing water depth, there is less UV radiation to inactivate bacteria. High turbidity substantially reduces UV-B transmittance in water causing decreased elimination efficiency. The results of the present study show that sunlight, given an appropriate intensity and good water transparency is suitable to inactivate fecal indicator bacteria within a few hours in surface waters and therefore also in bathing waters.

Bacteria↗

PubMed1989

In vitro activities of quinolones against enterococci resistant to penicillin-aminoglycoside synergy.

The MICs and MBCs of CI-934, ciprofloxacin, difloxacin (A-56619), A-56620, norfloxacin, enoxacin, amifloxacin, and coumermycin were determined for 43 clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecalis known to be resistant to penicillin-aminoglycoside synergy. Results were compared with those obtained for 37 synergy-susceptible E. faecalis and 22 Enterococcus faecium strains. Although no substantial differences in quinolone activities were observed between synergy-resistant and -susceptible E. faecalis strains, CI-934 and ciprofloxacin were the drugs that demonstrated the greatest bactericidal activity against both types of E. faecalis. The MBCs of the other quinolones were generally within a single twofold dilution of the MICs, but their antienterococcal activity did not approach that of CI-934 or ciprofloxacin. The MBCs for 90% of the isolates of CI-934 for synergy-resistant and -susceptible E. faecalis strains were 1 and less than or equal to 0.5 microgram/ml, respectively. The ciprofloxacin MBC for 90% of the E. faecalis strains tested was 1 microgram/ml. For E. faecium isolates the CI-934 and ciprofloxacin MBCs for 90% of the isolates were 8 and 4 micrograms/ml, respectively. Time-kill assays performed with synergy-susceptible enterococcal strains showed that the bactericidal activities of both CI-934 and ciprofloxacin were less than those of the penicillin-aminoglycoside combinations tested. However, against synergy-resistant isolates the activities of these two quinolones were comparable with and sometimes greater than those of penicillin-aminoglycoside combinations.

4-Quinolones↗

PubMed2001

[Utilization of exogenous siderophores by enterococci].

The study was undertaken to investigate the ability of enterococci to assimilate iron via siderophores of bacteria living in the same habitats in the human organism. The potential recipients of exogenous siderophores were six Enterococcus faecalis and six Enterococcus faecium strains, isolated from clinical materials of human origin. The donors of siderophores were Gram-negative rods (various species of the Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas and Acinetobacter) and Gram-positive cocci (various species of Staphylococcus and Streptococcus). All of the investigated E. faecium and only two E. faecalis strains demonstrated the ability to utilize the siderophores of the aforementioned bacterial groups, predominantly the chelators of Gram-negative rods, those of Gram-positive cocci were utilized to a smaller extent. Four recipient strains from E. faecalis species did not demonstrate the ability to utilize siderophores synthesized by all of 40 investigated donor strains.

Enterococcus↗

PubMed2001

Antibiotic resistance and genotypic characterization by PFGE of clinical and environmental isolates of enterococci.

Fifty-four Enterococcus faecalis and 20 Enterococcus faecium isolates from clinical and non-human sources in Rome, Italy, were characterized by antibiotic resistance and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). Resistance to vancomycin, teicoplanin, ampicillin, and ciprofloxacin was more frequent in E. faecium than in E. faecalis, whereas high-level resistance to aminoglycoside was found primarily in E. faecalis. Multi-resistance was found primarily among clinical isolates, but was also observed among environmental isolates. Common genotypes shared among clinical and environmental isolates were observed, however, the majority of isolates occurred as unique, source-specific clones. Several PFGE types were associated with shared features in their antibiotic resistance patterns; evidences of clonal spread between and within wards were also noted. This is the first report indicating clonal relatedness between human and environmental enterococci isolated in Italy.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1988

Laboratory detection of high-level aminoglycoside-aminocyclitol resistance in Enterococcus spp.

Methods for detection of high-level resistance to aminoglycoside-aminocyclitol antibiotics were evaluated using 104 blood isolates of enterococci (97 Enterococcus faecalis and 7 Enterococcus faecium). Kanamycin was used to predict resistance to amikacin. Discrepancies between methods were resolved by time-kill studies. Four methods (MicroScan, macrotube, microtiter, and disk diffusion) for detecting resistance to gentamicin and streptomycin were compared, using 51 consecutive strains. There were 13 gentamicin-resistant strains, all of which were detected by macrotube, microtiter, and disk diffusion. MicroScan detected 2 (15%) of the 13. Of the 18 streptomycin-resistant strains, 17 (93%) were detected by disk diffusion, 16 (89%) by microtiter, 9 (50%) by macrotube, and 6 (33%) by MicroScan. An additional 53 consecutive strains were examined only by disk diffusion and microtiter for resistance to gentamicin, streptomycin, and kanamycin. The entire population of 104 strains contained 35 gentamicin-, 22 streptomycin-, and 54 kanamycin-resistant enterococcal isolates. All 35 gentamicin-resistant strains were detected by both methods. Of the 22 streptomycin-resistant strains, 1 was detected only by microtiter, 2 only by disk diffusion, and 19 by both methods. Of the 54 kanamycin-resistant strains, 1 was detected only by microtiter, 2 only by disk diffusion, and 51 by both methods. One additional strain which was resistant only by disk diffusion was susceptible to amikacin plus penicillin by time-kill studies. Disk diffusion is a suitable method for detection of high-level aminoglycoside-aminocyclitol resistance in E. faecalis and is well suited for sporadic testing. Additional data are necessary to determine the suitability of these tests for E. faecium.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2002

An oral introduction of intestinal bacteria prevents the development of a long-term Th2-skewed immunological memory induced by neonatal antibiotic treatment in mice.

BACKGROUND: Recent epidemiological studies indicate that antibiotic use in infancy may be associated with an increased risk of developing atopy. Our previous work on animals demonstrated that kanamycin use during infancy promotes a shift in the Th1/Th2 balance towards a Th2-dominant immunity. OBJECTIVE: The first purpose of this study is to clarify whether or not the supplementation of intestinal bacteria can reverse such a Th2-skewed response induced by neonatal antibiotic use. The second objective is to elucidate the contribution of genetic factors to antibiotic-induced immune-deviation. METHODS: BALB/c or C57BL/6 mice at 3 weeks of age were orally administered 600 microg/day of kanamycin sulphate for seven consecutive days. Thereafter, the mice were inoculated with one type of intestinal bacterial species: Enterococcus faecalis, Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bacteroides vulgatus. Blood samples were collected 10 weeks after the cessation of kanamycin treatment, and the effect of the kanamycin treatment on Th1/Th2 balance was evaluated based on in vivo antibody levels. RESULTS: A kanamycin-induced elevation of the serum IgE levels was reversed by the supplementation with Enterococcus faecalis, and to a lesser extent by that with Lactobacillus acidophilus. The IgE/IgG2a ratio in the mice supplemented with Enterococcus faecalis significantly decreased in comparison with that in the kanamycin-treated mice without any bacterial supplementation, while such a ratio was enhanced in the mice inoculated with Bacteroides vulgatus. No antibiotic-induced Th2-skewed response was seen in C57BL/6 mice that are genetically biased towards Th1-dominant immunity. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that adequate probiotic intervention after antibiotic treatment may improve the intestinal ecosystem, and thereby prevent the Th2-shifted immunity induced by neonatal antibiotic use. In addition, the difference of genetic backgrounds also contributes to such an antibiotic-induced Th2-skewed response.

Animals↗

PubMed2000

Identification and antimicrobial susceptibility of enterococci isolated from the root canal.

Enterococci are occurring in opportunistic infections involving the oral cavity. This study has identified enterococcal species in 29 endodontic infections undergoing treatment with Ca (OH)2 dressings. The in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of 29 isolated enterococcal strains was determined. Enterococcus faecalis was speciated for 26 isolates and Enterococcus faecium for three isolates. In vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing revealed enterococcal isolates resistant to benzylpenicillin, ampicillin, clindamycin, metronidazole and tetracycline but sensitive to erythromycin and vancomycin. Due to low sensitivity to antimicrobial agents, enterococci may be selected in root canals undergoing standard endodontic treatment and significantly contribute to endodontic treatment failures.

Ampicillin↗

PubMed1998

Epidemiologic evaluation of antimicrobial resistance in community-acquired enterococci.

Fecal samples from 200 consecutive patients admitted to a community hospital yielded 107 enterococci. High-level gentamicin resistance occurred in 10 (14%) of the Enterococcus faecalis isolates. Ampicillin resistance occurred in two (3%) of the E. faecalis isolates and six (23%) of the Enterococcus faecium isolates. There were no vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Risk factors for enterococci with high-level aminoglycoside (gentamicin) or ampicillin resistance included prior hospitalization and previous antibiotic use.

Adult↗

PubMed2001

Invasive infections due to vancomycin-resistant enterococci in adult patients.

Since 1990, vancomycin-resistant enterococci have emerged as important nosocomial pathogens. Invasive infections caused by these organisms have challenged most physicians because they are resistant to multiple antibiotics. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of adult patients with invasive vancomycin-resistant enterococci infections in the National Taiwan University Hospital from January 1993 through December 2000. A total of 11 adult patients were identified, 9 of whom had bacteremia (7 caused by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis and 2 by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium) and one each had thoracic empyema (vancomycin-resistant E. faecium) and peritonitis (vancomycin-resistant E. faecium). Five patients had rectal swab cultures positive for vancomycin-resistant enterococci; 4 of them had underlying malignancies. The majority (91%) of these patients had prolonged hospitalization and prior long-term use of broad-spectrum cephalosporins (ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, or cefepime) or anti-anaerobic agents (clindamycin or metronidazole). The crude mortality rate was 64%. In conclusion, invasive infection caused by vancomycin-resistant enterococci is an emerging problem among hospitalized patients in Taiwan, particularly those with severe underlying diseases and exposure to multiple antibiotics.

Adult↗

PubMed1992

Comparison of LY264826-gentamicin with vancomycin-gentamicin against enterococci from blood cultures.

The combination of the new glycopeptide LY264826 and gentamicin was compared with the combination of vancomycin and gentamicin against 30 strains of enterococci, comprising 20 strains of Enterococcus faecalis, five strains of Enterococcus faecium and five strains of Enterococcus avium, isolated from blood cultures. LY264826 plus gentamicin was synergic against E. faecalis and E. faecium, but not against E. avium.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2003

Correlation between enterococcal biofilm formation in vitro and medical-device-related infection potential in vivo.

Hospital-acquired infections caused by enterococci have increased dramatically since the 1970s. Many nosocomial enterococcal bloodstream infections are associated with medical devices such as central venous catheters. The ability to form biofilm on medical devices is a potential virulence trait that may allow enterococci to cause infections in the expanding population of patients managed with such devices. In this study, the hypothesis that increased ability to form biofilm in vitro is associated with medical-device-related infection in vivo was tested. A microplate assay was employed to assess biofilm-forming characteristics of enterococci in 0.9 % (w/v) sodium chloride, an oligotrophic environment, and BHI, a nutrient-rich environment. Results were compared in isolates from different sources of infection. One hundred and nine enterococcal bloodstream isolates were assayed. Biofilm formation on microplates was demonstrated by all Enterococcus faecalis isolates and 16/38 (42 %) Enterococcus faecium isolates. E. faecalis isolates produced significantly more biofilm than E. faecium isolates in both media (P < 0.0001, Mann-Whitney U test). E. faecalis isolates from intravascular-catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) produced significantly more biofilm than non-CRBSI isolates (P < 0.0001), or isolates of uncertain clinical significance (P < 0.0001). Biofilm formed by E. faecium isolates was not significantly affected by culture medium and did not differ between isolates from the different clinical categories. In conclusion, there was significantly more biofilm formed by E. faecalis isolates causing CRBSI compared with isolates from other types of infection or from isolates of uncertain clinical significance. The ability of E. faecalis isolates to form biofilm in vitro appears to be a marker of a virulence trait that enhances the ability of isolates to cause CRBSI.

Bacteremia↗

PubMed1991

Evaluation of the Vitek GPS-TA card for laboratory detection of high-level gentamicin and streptomycin resistance in enterococci.

The Vitek GPS-TA card (Vitek Systems, Hazelwood, Mo.) was compared with single-concentration broth microdilution and disk diffusion methods using high-content disks for the detection of high-level resistance to gentamicin and streptomycin in 99 isolates of enterococci (81 Enterococcus faecalis isolates and 18 Enterococcus faecium isolates). The GPS-TA card accurately detected high-level resistance to gentamicin, but not streptomycin, in E. faecalis. When streptomycin is being considered for therapy, either disk diffusion or time-kill studies should be used to confirm susceptible results obtained by Vitek testing. Additional studies are needed to determine the best method for testing E. faecium isolates.

Drug Resistance, Microbial↗

PubMedDate not supplied

In vitro susceptibilities of enterococcal blood culture isolates from the Hamburg area to ten antibiotics.

Treatment of enterococcal infections is often difficult because of intrinsic and acquired resistance to a variety of antimicrobial agents. Between January 1993 and May 1997, enterococci were isolated from blood cultures of 117 patients at the Institute of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, University Hospital Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany. Eightynine (76%) isolates were phenotypically identified as Enterococcus faecalis, and 24 (21%) as Enterococcus faecium. All E. faecalis isolates, but only 17% of the E. faecium isolates were susceptible to ampicillin. Two E. faecium isolates (8%) but no E. faecalis were vancomycin resistant (vanA genotype). Quinupristin/dalfopristin shows a high degree of susceptiblity of E. faecium (79%) and may be suitable for the therapy of infections caused by glycopeptide-resistant E. faecium strains.

Aged↗

PubMed1998

Susceptibility patterns of Enterococcus spp. isolated in Poland during 1996.

Susceptibility of Enterococcus spp. isolated from various clinical specimens to different antimicrobial agents was evaluated. Of the 346 enterococcal isolates obtained from four regional Polish hospitals during 6 months of 1996, 261 (75.4%) were identified as Enterococcus faecalis, 75 (21.7%) as Enterococcus faecium and ten (2.9%) as other enterococcal species. High-level resistance to gentamicin was expressed by 33.4% of E. faecalis and 86.5% of E. faecium strains and corresponding streptomycin resistance by 43.9 and 82.4%, respectively. Over 80% of E. faecium isolates were resistant to ampicillin. None of the isolates was resistant to teicoplanin, however 7.9% of E. fecalis and 1.4% of E. faecium strains were moderately susceptible to vancomycin.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed1991

Genetic transformation of various species of Enterococcus by electroporation.

A transformation system for Enterococcus faecalis was developed which uses untreated (i.e., non-protoplasted) cells and the electroporation technique. The optimized protocol resulted in transformation efficiencies of up to 4 x 10(6) transformants per microgram of plasmid DNA. All strains of E. faecalis tested could be transformed by this method, albeit with differing transformation efficiencies. Using the protocol optimized for E. faecalis we successfully transformed Enterococcus faecium, E. hirae, E. malodoratus and E. mundtii.

Cell Division↗

PubMed2002

[beta-lactamase-producing activity and antimicrobial susceptibility of major pathogenic bacteria isolated from clinical samples. Japan beta-lactamase Research Group].

beta-Lactamase production and susceptibility to an assortment of antimicrobial agents were examined in 9,483 strains of organisms isolated from clinical materials obtained from inpatients and outpatients at 104 institutions throughout Japan from December 1999 to February 2000. The organisms were Staphylococcus aureus, 1,369 strains, including 847 methicillin-resistant (MRSA) strains; Enterococcus faecalis, 735 strains; Enterococcus faecium, 302 strains; Moraxella (Branhamella) catarrhalis, 730 strains; Haemophilus influenzae, 1,142 strains; Escherichia coli, 1,276 strains; Klebsiella pneumoniae, 1,058 strains; Enterobacter cloacae, 772 strains; Serratia marcescens, 847 strains; and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 1,252 strains. The 23 antimicrobial agents used were ampicillin, sulbactam/ampicillin, clavulanic acid/amoxicillin, oxacillin, piperacillin, cefazolin, cefotiam, cefmetazole, cefoperazone, sulbactam/cefoperazone, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, cefepime, cefpodoxime, imipenem, gentamicin, arbekacin, clarithromycin, minocycline, chloramphenicol, vancomycin, teicoplanin, and levofloxacin. Antimicrobial agents appropriate for each organism were used. Among S. aureus strains, 61.9% were MRSA, and 62.3% were positive for beta-lactamase. Among the MRSA strains, none was resistant to vancomycin or teicoplanin, and only 3% were resistant to arbekacin. There was no vancomycin resistance in the Enterococcus strains. Only 0.1% of E. faecalis strains were ampicillin-resistant. Among the M. catarrhalis strains, 97.5% produced beta-lactamase, while among the H. influenzae strains, 8.5% produced beta-lactamase and 14.5% were beta-lactamase-negative and ampicillin-resistant (BLNAR). Among the Enterobacteriaceae and P. aeruginosa strains, there were 20 (E. coli; 7/1,276, K. pneumoniae; 13/1,058) that produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), and 11 that produced class B beta-lactamases. Multiple drug resistance was advanced in every species, and organisms resistant to 7 or more common antimicrobial agents were isolated. The best combination of antimicrobial agent and beta-lactamase inhibitor was sulbactam/cefoperazone. Sulbactam/cefoperazone, cefepime, and imipenem still have excellent antimicrobial activity. Rates of resistance to each antimicrobial agent differed more among institutions than among geographical regions.

Bacteria↗

PubMed1997

[Isolation rate of Enterococcus spp. from surgical infections and their susceptibilities].

Enterococcus spp. isolated from surgical infections during the period from July 1982 to June 1995 were investigated in a multicenter study involving 19 hospitals in Japan, and the following results were obtained. 1. Though the isolation rate of Enterococcus faecalis and other Enterococcus spp. were not high from primary infections, and from postoperative infections the isolation rate of other Enterococcus spp. was also low, the isolation rate of E. faecalis was highest from postoperative infections after 1993. 2. Vancomycin (VCM) showed strongest activity against E. faecalis, and followed by those of ampicillin (ABPC), imipenem. levofloxacin (LVFX) and meropenem in this order. Against other Enterococcus spp., VCM showed strongest activity, and followed by those of ABPC and LVFX. There were no resistant strains against VCM.

Ampicillin↗

PubMed1991

Composition of the enterococcal and streptococcal intestinal flora of poultry.

Identification to species level showed that Enterococcus faecalis and Ent. faecium largely dominated the enterococcal and streptococcal gut flora of 1-d-old chicks. Enterococcus faecalis was rare in 3- to 5-week-old broilers. Two species, Ent. faecium and Streptococcus alactolyticus, were isolated from nearly all broilers examined. Enterococcus hirae and Ent. durans were found in the small intestines of this category of poultry. In layers and parent stock of over 12 weeks of age, Ent. cecorum dominated with Strep. alactolyticus ranking next. Other species were isolated irregularly. Enterococcus avium and Ent. gallinarum, originally described from chickens, were rarely found. These species did not appear to belong to the normal intestinal flora of poultry.

Animals↗