Nonhuman Reservoirs of Enterococci

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
This chapter describes the occurrence of different enterococcal species among animal reservoirs. It reviews the importance of enterococci as pathogens in animals, the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance and resistance genes among enterococci from nonhuman sources, and the potential transfer of enterococci and their resistance genes to humans. Enterococci are associated with most mammals and birds, and some sporadic reports exist on the isolation of enterococci from reptiles and insects. In addition, enterococcal species can be found in soil, on plants, and in water. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) is one of the most widely applied methods for detecting the clonal spread of enterococci. Enterococci have been implicated in a number of infections in animals, mainly mastitis in cattle, and diarrhea. Birds are mainly infected by Enterococcus durans, E. faecalis, and E. hirae. Compared to the very large number of studies of enterococci of human origin, there are only limited studies on the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance and resistance genes among enterococci isolated from animals, food, or the environment. An overview of the occurrence of resistance to a few selected antimicrobial agents, in different countries and from different reservoirs, is given in the chapter. An overview of resistance genes and transposons detected among enterococci from nonhuman sources is also presented. Aminoglycosides are important in the treatment of infections with enterococci in humans. Enterococci inhabiting nonhuman reservoirs appear to play a critical role in the acquisition and dissemination of antibiotic resistance determinants.

This publication has 194 references indexed in Scilit: