生鲜食品中沙门氏菌多重耐药性检测与复合型Ⅰ类整合子的分析

该研究采用纸片扩散法对生鲜食品源沙门氏菌分离株进行耐药表型检测,玻片凝集法测定血清型,MLST方法分析其序列型。用PCR检测结合序列比对,对多重耐药沙门氏菌携带的Ⅰ类整合子及其基因盒、ISCR1及其基因盒进行分析。共筛选出32株多重耐药菌株,多重耐药率为48.48%。多重耐药株中分为11种血清型,优势血清型为S. Thompson(21.88%)和S. Agona(18.75%),MLST的序列分型将多重耐药株分为15种ST型,优势序列型为ST26(21.88%)和ST13(12.50%)。多重耐药菌株中,Ⅰ类整合子的检出率为43.75%(14/32),其中有5株扩出耐药基因盒,检出率为35.71%(5/14);11株检出ISCR1序列,检出率为34.38%(11/32),其中4株扩增出耐药基因盒,检出率为36.36%(4/11);同时含有这两种遗传元件(Ⅰ型复合整合子)的菌株共检测出9株,检出率为28.13%(9/32),检出的基因盒大多包含1~2种耐药基因,与耐药表型具有较好的相关性。通过blast比对,发现28号菌株中的Ⅰ型复合整合子耐药基因盒与沙门氏菌Nsa217质粒和肺炎克雷伯菌的KP15-2-53质粒具有同源性。生鲜制品中沙门氏菌耐药性相对严重,且沙门氏菌多重耐药性与携带的Ⅰ型复合整合子之间具有相关性。     

健康婴儿粪便中粪肠球菌的分离鉴定与体外安全性评价

为筛选出符合安全要求的粪肠球菌,该研究以采集的1月龄健康婴儿粪便样本为研究对象,采用MRS分离纯化和16S rRNA测序进行菌种鉴定,共鉴定出64株粪肠球菌。该研究对其中16株菌进行体外安全性评价,分别考察其溶血性、抗生素敏感性和6种毒力基因。结果发现16株粪肠球菌均未出现β溶血现象;药敏试验发现菌株对四环素(56.25%)、红霉素(43.75%)耐药率较高,青霉素(37.50%)和环丙沙星(31.25%)次之,未发现万古霉素和替考拉宁耐受菌株;继上述实验获得的8株相对安全菌株进行毒力基因检测,共检出5种毒力基因：ace、asal、efaA、cylA、gelE,以ace⁺efaA⁺gelE⁺为主要携带模式;综合评价后最终得到4株粪肠球菌候选菌株,编号为：LX29、LX31、LX41、LX50,可为后续的功能性研究和产品开发奠定基础。     

食品来源粪肠球菌的全基因组分析

目的 了解食品来源粪肠球菌的全基因组分子特征, 并与临床分离菌株进行比较基因组学分析。 方法 对收集的食品来源粪肠球菌进行全基因组测序和生物信息学分析, 比较分析3株食品来源粪肠球菌和7株已发表的临床分离粪肠球菌基因组, 对比粪肠球菌基因组中携带的耐药基因、毒力基因和移动元件, 筛选核心基因, 构建系统进化树。结果 3株食品来源粪肠球菌染色体全基因组序列全长分别为2816436、3005875和2818728 bp, 共含有2733、2853和2756个基因, 基因平均鸟嘌呤和胞嘧啶(guanine and cytosine, GC)含量为38.0%。在全基因组核酸水平上, 食品与临床分离的粪肠球菌线性关系良好, 基因组结构高度相似。3株食品来源菌株基因组中含有3~7种耐药基因、8~19种毒力基因和42~67个移动元件, 与临床分离菌株比较, 无显著性差异(P>0.05)。系统进化树分析发现食品来源和临床分离粪肠球菌分布在一个进化分枝, 分子遗传关系距离较近。结论 本研究获得了食品来源粪肠球菌全基因组基本特征的背景材料, 证实了食品来源和临床分离粪肠球菌进化溯源关系相近, 基因组无显著差异(P>0.05), 为后续食品工业界实际应用粪肠球菌的安全性评价奠定了基础。     

陕西省和上海市市售猪肉中金黄色葡萄球菌分子多样性及耐药性研究

为了解市售猪肉中金黄色葡萄球菌的分子多样性和耐药性,本研究对分离于陕西省和上海市的110株猪肉源金黄色葡萄球菌进行15种抗生素耐药性、26种耐药基因、23种毒力编码基因及SPA和MLST分子分型检测。药敏结果显示,菌株对β-内酰胺类和叶酸代谢途径抑制剂的耐药性最为普遍,其次为四环素和大环内酯类抗生素。其中β-内酰胺类抗生素耐药相关基因主要为blaZ、四环素类抗生素耐药相关基因主要为tetK和大环内酯类抗生素耐药相关基因主要为ermB和ermC。分离株耐药性受采样地点和耐药基因影响,分离自上海市分离菌株较陕西省分离株耐药更为严重(P＜0.01)。此外,还检测到2株MRSA菌株。23种被检毒力编码基因中有18种毒力编码基因被检出,其中seg、sei、sem、sen、seo、seu、sea、sep、sed、sej、ser基因携带率较高。陕西省毒力编码基因的携带率85%(34/40)显著高于上海市27.1%(19/70),其中经典肠毒素编码基因的携带率分别为65.0%(22/40)和10.0%(10/70)。所有分离株共有31种克隆型,陕西省的主导分子型为ST6-t701(22.5%,11/40),上海市的主导分子型为ST3055-t084(31.4%,22/70)。此外,分离株携带肠毒素编码基因与分子型有相关性,如ST6-t701高度携带sea,ST7-t091主要携带sep,ST5-t002主要携带seg-sei-sem-sen-seo-seu。结果表明,市售猪肉中金黄色葡萄球菌耐药严重,携带肠毒素编码基因较多,可能通过食物链进行传播。     

温州市单核细胞增生李斯特菌的毒力基因及血清学分型和分子分型研究

目的了解温州市近十年单核细胞增生李斯特菌分离株的血清型、毒力基因及分子分型特征。方法用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)方法对单核细胞增生李斯特菌进行血清型及毒力基因检测;用多位点序列分型(MLST)方法对单核细胞增生李斯特菌进行分子分型,并绘制MLST数据的最小生成树。结果 97株单核细胞增生李斯特菌分离株分为4种血清型,以血清型1/2b、1/2a为优势血清型,占比分别为48.45%(47/97)、35.05%(34/97);而毒力基因iap、prfA基因阳性率均为100.00%(97/97),hlyA、inlA基因阳性率均为97.94%(95/97),plcB基因阳性率为96.91%(94/97)。其中患者分离株5种毒力基因阳性率均为100.00%(6/6)。97株单核细胞增生李斯特菌分离株得到20个MLST型别,其中ST87型是优势型别,其次为ST121和ST9,ST1和ST779型是患者特有的,ST2、ST3、ST5型分布于食品和患者分离株。结论温州市不同来源的单核细胞增生李斯特菌分离株分子型别呈多态性,食品和患者分离株存在相同的ST型,且这些菌株大部分携带毒力基因,具有潜在的致病性,因此食品中单核细胞增生李斯特菌污染的潜在风险不容忽视。     

温州地区蜡样芽胞杆菌分型特征研究

目的了解温州地区不同来源蜡样芽胞杆菌毒力基因分布、生化分型和多位点序列分型(MLST)特征。方法参照GB 4789.14—2014对127株蜡样芽胞杆菌进行鉴定和生化分型,同时采用PCR方法检测10种毒力基因,并进行MLST基因分型。结果 127株蜡样芽胞杆菌同时携带Nhe A、Nhe B、Nhe C基因的菌株占94.5%(120/127),而同时携带hbl A、hbl C、hbl D基因的占9.4%(12/127),携带ces基因的占7.9%(10/127);127株菌株除10株不能进行生化分型外,其余117株分为2型(0.8%,1/127)、5型(3.9%,5/127)、8型(1.6%,2/127)、9型(63.8%,81/127)和10型(22.0%,28/127);通过MLST分析,72株菌株共分为28个ST序列型,ST26(18.1%,13/72)、ST144(15.3%,11/72)、ST92(6.9%,5/72)和ST164(6.9%,5/72)为常见ST型别。28个ST型聚类分析显示温州地区蜡样芽胞杆菌分为4个序列群和13个单态群。结论温州地区蜡样芽胞杆菌毒力基因携带率较高,遗传关系具有多样性。     

食源性产志贺毒素大肠杆菌的分离及菌株特征分析

了解不同食品中产志贺毒素大肠杆菌的流行情况、菌株特征及潜在致病性。方法 对我国不同地区采集的355份食品样品进行产志贺毒素大肠杆菌分离鉴定,对菌株进行stx1/stx2基因分型、eae等毒力基因检测,并对菌株进行多位点序列分型(MLST)分析。结果 355份样品中44份stx2基因阳性,共分离出11株非O157 产志贺毒素大肠杆菌,其中3株携带stx2a亚型,3株携带stx2e亚型,1株携带stx2b亚型,4株不能分型;5株携带ehxA、saa毒力基因,2株携带subA基因,1株携带katP基因;MLST将11株菌分为7个不同的ST型,存在与溶血性尿毒综合症患者肠出血性大肠杆菌分离株(HUS-associated enterohemorrhagic E.coli,HUSEC)及主要流行血清群产志贺毒素大肠杆菌亲缘关系较近的ST型别。结论 我国食品中存在一定程度的非O157产志贺毒素大肠杆菌污染,部分菌株具有潜在致病性,应加强对食品中STEC的监测。     

陕西省某养猪场4种细菌耐药性和毒力基因检测

目的研究陕西省某养猪场4种细菌的耐药性和毒力基因流行状况。方法采用纸片扩散法测定2015—2016年从陕西省扶风县某养猪场分离的85株大肠埃希菌、93株肠球菌、33株沙门菌和7株金黄色葡萄球菌对14种抗生素的耐药性。采用聚合酶链式反应(PCR)方法检测肠球菌和沙门菌携带的部分耐药基因,以及肠球菌和金黄色葡萄球菌携带的毒力基因。结果 7株金黄色葡萄球菌均对庆大霉素、阿米卡星、阿莫西林/克拉维酸、头孢哌酮和头孢西丁敏感,对萘啶酸的耐药率(100.00%,7/7)高于其他抗生素,差异有统计学意义(χ~2=54.77,P0.05)。33株沙门菌均对阿莫西林/克拉维酸、头孢哌酮和头孢西丁敏感,对甲氧苄啶/磺胺甲噁唑(100.00%,33/33)和四环素(96.97%,32/33)的耐药率高于其他9种抗生素,差异有统计学意义(χ~2=5.83,P0.05)。大肠埃希菌对四环素的耐药率(87.06%,74/85)高于其他13种抗生素,差异有统计学意义(χ~2=4.68,P0.05),对阿莫西林/克拉维酸和头孢西丁的耐药率较低。肠球菌对甲氧苄啶/磺胺甲噁唑的耐药率最高(97.85%,91/93)。肠球菌中aph(3′)-Ⅲ耐药基因的检出率最高(47.13%,41/87)。沙门菌中aadA1、aadA2耐药基因的检出率最高,均为84.85%(28/33)。肠球菌中毒力基因asal的检出率最高(50.57%,44/87)。金黄色葡萄球菌中sea、see和seb毒力基因的检出率分别为42.86%(3/7)、42.86%(3/7)和14.29%(1/7)。结论陕西省某养猪场中4种细菌的耐药现象较为严重,部分菌株携带常见毒力和耐药基因,需要进一步加强监测,科学使用抗生素,从源头上保障猪肉食品的安全。     

成都市生鲜猪肉MRSA分离株的流行特征分析

目的:分析成都市各地区生鲜猪肉样品中耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,MRSA）的流行特征。方法:对鉴定出的MRSA菌株进行SCCmec分型、spa分型以及多位点序列（MLST）分型分析,同时运用PCR技术对MRSA菌株携带的多种毒力基因、生物被膜形成相关基因、耐消毒剂基因以及耐药基因进行检测,并采用K-B纸片扩散法调查MRSA菌株的耐药表型。结果:本研究从297株猪肉源金黄色葡萄球菌中筛选出24株MRSA菌株,分离率为8.08%。MRSA菌株主要以ST88-IVa-t1376、ST59-IVa-t437和ST9-IVb-t3433型为主,携带耐药基因3~7个;所有菌株均表现出对氨苄西林和青霉素G耐药,并且存在多重耐药情况;分离菌株携带多种肠毒素基因,其中MRSA8和MRSA13菌株携带了完整的egc基因簇;MRSA分离菌株均携带clfB、eno、icaBC和sasG等生物被膜形成相关基因;携带耐消毒剂基因（qacA/B、qacC和qacG）的菌株占比为62.5%,其中以qacG为主要携带基因类型。另外,79.17%的MRSA菌株携带溶血素基因（hla、hlb）,所有菌株中杀白细胞素基因（pvl）均未检出。结论:成都市猪肉源MRSA的流行可能存在一定的交叉污染,应加强动物源食品携带MRSA菌株的监测。     

现制饮品中金黄色葡萄球菌耐药及遗传特征研究

目的 探究我国现制饮品中金黄色葡萄球菌抗生素耐药及遗传特征。方法 采用微量肉汤稀释法对金黄色葡萄球菌进行药敏测定,同时提取菌株基因组DNA进行全基因组测序,并使用生物信息学分析流程进行基因组特征数据挖掘。结果 现制饮品中43株金黄色葡萄球菌对10种抗生素的总体耐药率为88.4%,分属9种耐药谱,其中3株为耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus,MRSA）。多重耐药菌（Multidrug resistant,MDR）占比16.3%,主要为含乳现制饮品。耐受7类及以上抗生素金黄色葡萄球菌3株,其中1株为MRSA。全基因测序进化分析表明菌株耐药表型与基因型具有良好的相关性,MRSA及多重耐药株出现明显聚集。43株菌属于16种多位点序列分型（multilocus sequence typing,MLST）,其中MRSA菌株包括1株ST45型和2株ST398型。多重耐药株ST型别为ST5、7、15、59、121和398型。多重耐药MRSA株为ST398型。金葡肠毒素基因整体携带率为34.9%,其中sea为主要基因型。MRSA菌株均不携带毒力基因,多重耐药株肠毒素基因携带率为42.9%。3株主要来自含水果类现制饮品的ST1型菌株同时携带6种肠毒素基因,但其仅对青霉素耐药或为敏感株。结论 我国现制饮品中金黄色葡萄球菌存在MRSA及多重耐药菌,且该类菌株在遗传进化中聚类明显,虽然MRSA菌株致病性相对较弱,然而MDR菌株肠毒素基因的高携带率提示耐药金黄色葡萄球菌的潜在危害不容忽视。因此,应加强现制饮品中金黄色葡萄球菌的耐药监测与防控。     

Species distribution,molecular characteristics and vancomycin resistance gene profiles of Enterococcus sp. isolates from farmhouse cheeses in western Turkey

Species distribution, virulence traits and vancomycin resistance gene profiles of Enterococcus isolated from 43 home‐made artisan cheese samples collected from open markets, located in Aydin region of Turkey, were investigated. Of the 129 isolates, 95 were identified as Enterococcus sp.; Enterococcus faecium being the most prevalent species (82.1%), followed by Enterococcus faecalis (13.6%) and Enterococcus durans (1.0%). None of the enterococci were harbouring vanA or vanC, while seven isolates (7.3%) were shown to harbour vanB gene by multiplex PCR. gelE (49.4%) being the most prevalent virulence factor was followed by asa1 (27.3%), esp (22.1%), cylA (4.2%) and hyl (3.1%).     

Characterization of antimicrobial resistance and virulence genes in Enterococcus spp. isolated from retail meats in Alberta, Canada

The objective of this study was to characterize antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and virulence genotypes of Enterococcus spp. particularly Enterococcus faecalis isolated from retail meats purchased (2007-2008) in Alberta, Canada. Unconditional statistical associations between AMR pheno- and genotypes and virulence genotypes were determined. A total of 532 enterococci comprising one isolate from each positive sample were analyzed for antimicrobial susceptibility. A customized enterococcal microarray was used for species identification and the detection of AMR and virulence genes. E. faecalis was found in >94% of poultry samples and in about 73% of beef and 86% of pork samples. Enterococcus faecium was not found in turkey meat and its prevalence was 2% in beef and pork and 4% in chicken samples. None of the enterococci isolates were resistant to the clinically important drugs ciprofloxacin, daptomycin, linezolid and vancomycin. Multiresistance (≥3 antimicrobials) was more common in E. faecalis (91%) isolated from chicken and turkey (91%) than those isolated from beef (14%) or pork (45%). Resistance to aminoglycosides was also noted at varying degrees. The most common resistance genes found in E. faecalis were aminoglycosides (aac, aphA3, aadE, sat4, aadA), macrolides (ermB, ermA), tetracyclines (tetM, tetL, tetO), streptogramin (vatE), bacitracin (bcrR) and lincosamide (linB). Virulence genes expressing aggregation substances (agg) and cytolysin (cylA, cylB, cylL, cylM) were found more frequently in poultry E. faecalis and were unconditionally associated with tetM, linB and bcrR resistance genes. Other virulence genes coding for adhesion (ace, efaAfs), gelatinase (gelE) were also found in the majority of E. faecalis. Significant statistical associations were found between resistance and virulence genotypes, suggesting their possible physical link on a common genetic element. This study underscores the importance of E. faecalis as a reservoir of resistance and virulence genes and their potential transfer to humans through consumption of contaminated undercooked meat.     

Prevalence and characterization of Enterococcus spp. isolated from Brazilian foods

Enterococci can be used in the food industry as starter or probiotic cultures. However, enterococci are also implicated in severe multi-resistant nosocomial infections. In this study, the prevalence of enterococci in selected Brazilian foodstuffs (raw and pasteurized milk, meat products, cheeses and vegetables) was evaluated. Phenotypic and PCR protocols were used for species identification. Tests for production of gelatinase, haemolysin, bacteriocin and bile salt hydrolysis were done with all enterococci isolates, whereas molecular determination of virulence markers (genes esp, gel, ace, as, efaA, hyl and cylA) and antibiotic resistance was checked only for Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis isolates. The antibiotic-resistant isolates were assayed for biofilm formation and adhesion to mammalian cells. From the 120 food samples analyzed, 52.5% were positive for enterococci, meat and cheese being the most contaminated. E. faecium was the predominant species, followed by E. faecalis, E. casseliflavus and Enterococcus gallinarum. Phenotypic tests indicated that 67.7% of isolates hydrolyzed bile salts, 15.2% produced bacteriocin, 12.0% were beta-hemolytic and 18.2% produced gelatinase. Antibiotic resistance (gentamicin, tetracycline and erythromycin) and genes encoding for virulence traits were more frequent in E. faecalis than in E. faecium. Three E. faecium isolates were resistant to vancomycin. Among antibiotic-resistant isolates, 72.4% of E. faecalis were able to form biofilm and 13.8% to adhere to Caco-2 cells. Antibiotic-resistant E. faecalis and E. faecium isolates were grouped by RAPD-PCR and a scattered distribution was noted, indicating that resistance was not related to a particular clone. The spread of virulence/resistance traits in isolates of the two species and different RAPD-types suggest the pathogenic potential of both species. By contrast, the recovery of bacteriocinogenic E. faecium isolates with no virulence traits suggests their potential for biotechnological applications. In conclusion, our results showed that enterococci from Brazilian foods present important dualist aspects for food safety.     

Antimicrobial resistance and virulence of Enterococcus faecalis isolated from retail food

Although enterococci are considered opportunistic nosocomial pathogens, their contribution to foodborne illnesses via dissemination through retail food remains undefined. In this study, prevalence and association of antimicrobial resistance and virulence factors of 80 Enterococcus faecalis isolates from retail food items were investigated. The highest rates of resistance were observed for lincomycin (73 of 80 isolates, 91%) and bacitracin (57 of 80 isolates, 71%), and lower rates of resistance (< or =40%) were found for chloramphenicol, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, flavomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, nitrofurantoin, penicillin, and tylosin. Overall resistance to antimicrobials was low for most isolates tested. Of the virulence factors tested, the majority of isolates were positive for ccf (78 of 80 isolates, 98%), efaAfs (77 of 80, 96%), and cpd (74 of 80, 93%). Isolates also commonly contained cob (72 of 80 isolates, 90%) and gelE (68 of 80, 85%). Very few isolates contained cylMBA (12 of 80 isolates [15%] for cylM and 9 of 80 isolates [11%] for both cylB and cylA) and efaAfm (2 of 80 isolates, 3%). Positive statistical associations (significance level of 0.05) were found between agg and tetracycline resistance, cylM and erythromycin resistance, and gelE and efaAfs and lincomycin resistance. The presence of the cylB and cylA alleles also was positively correlated with bacitracin and tetracycline resistance. Negative correlations were observed between many of the virulence attributes and resistance to ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, flavomycin, gentamicin, kanamycin, and tylosin. These data suggest that both positive and negative associations exist between antimicrobial resistance genes and virulence factors in E. faecalis isolates from foods commonly purchased from grocery stores.     

Speciation and frequency of virulence genes of Enterococcus spp. isolated from rainwater tank samples in Southeast Queensland, Australia

In this study, 212 Enterococcus isolates from 23 rainwater tank samples in Southeast Queensland (SEQ), Australia were identified to the species level. The isolates were also tested for the presence of 6 virulence genes associated with Enterococcus related infections. Among the 23 rainwater tank samples, 20 (90%), 10 (44%), 7 (30%), 5 (22%), 4 (17%), 2 (9%), and 1 (4%) samples yielded E. faecalis, E. mundtii, E. casseliflavus, E. faecium, E. hirae, E. avium, and E. durans, respectively. Among the 6 virulence genes tested, gelE and efaA were most prevalent, detected in 19 (83%) and 18 (78%) of 23 rainwater tank samples, respectively. Virulence gene ace was also detected in 14 (61%) rainwater tank samples followed by AS, esp (E. faecalis variant), and cylA genes which were detected in 3 (13%), 2 (9%), and 1 (4%) samples, respectively. In all, 120 (57%) Enterococcus isolates from 20 rainwater tank samples harbored virulence genes. Among these tank water samples, Enterococcus spp. from 5 (25%) samples harbored a single virulence gene and 15 (75%) samples were harboring two or more virulence genes. The significance of these strains in terms of health implications remains to be assessed. The potential sources of these strains need to be identified for the improved management of captured rainwater quality. Finally, it is recommended that Enterococcus spp. should be used as an additional fecal indicator bacterium in conjunction with E. coli for the microbiological assessment of rainwater tanks.     

Relation of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium isolates from foods and clinical specimens

Clinical Enterococcus faecalis (n=65) and Enterococcus faecium (n=12) blood isolates from three Swiss hospitals were characterized with testing for resistance to antimicrobial agents, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), and the occurrence of virulence factors. Phenotypic determination of resistance to antimicrobial agents resulted in 20% of E. faecalis isolates showing a triple resistance against chloramphenicol, tetracycline, erythromycin, and seven isolates (two E. faecalis and five E. faecium) exhibiting a multiresistance against five or more antimicrobials. One isolate each of E. faecalis and E. faecium showed vancomycin resistance. All isolates contained at least two of the nine tested virulence genes (agg, gelE, cyl, esp, efaAfs, efaAfm, cpd, cob, and ccf). Phylogenetic analysis of the PFGE profiles identified several small clusters within E. faecalis isolates, one of which included isolates of all three hospitals. Fifty-six (73%) isolates occurred as unique, patient-specific clones. Several PFGE types were associated with shared features in their resistance patterns, indicating spread between and within wards. Finally, enterococci from this study and previous isolates from cheeses were examined by PFGE typing. The comparison of PFGE profiles from human and food isolates resulted in clusters of genetically strong related strains, which suggests high similarities of the enterococcal community composition of these two environments. A possible spread of the enterococcal isolates through the food supply cannot be excluded.     

Assessment of safety of enterococci isolated throughout traditional Terrincho cheesemaking: virulence factors and antibiotic susceptibility

Enterococci account for an important fraction of the adventitious microflora of traditional cheeses manufactured in Mediterranean countries from small ruminants' raw milk and play an important role in the development of suitable organoleptic characteristics of the final product. It has been suggested that animals used for food or animals that supply edible products are a reservoir of antibiotic-resistant enterococci. The main purpose of this research effort was thus to identify, to the species level, a total of 73 enterococci with high tolerance to acidic pH and bile salts (as prevailing environmental conditions in the first portion of the gastrointestinal tract), which were previously isolated from the milk feedstock to the final product of Terrincho cheesemaking, and to determine their profiles of antibiotic susceptibility, coupled with the occurrence of specific virulence factors (especially in those that might eventually be claimed to exhibit suitable probiotic and technological performances). Isolates, identified by both API 20 STREP and PCR methods, were found to belong to the following Enterococcus species: E. casseliflavus, E. durans, E. faecalis, E. faecium, and E. gallinarum. Susceptibility of those isolates was observed to most antibiotics tested, whereas none harbored aminoglycoside resistance genes. PCR screenings for cytolysin genes (cylL(L), cylL(s), cylM, cylB, and cylA), surface adhesin genes (efaA(fs), efaA(fm), and esp), the aggregation protein gene (agg), and the extracellular metalloendopeptidase gene (gelE) were performed. All isolates proved negative for cylL(L), cylM, cylB, and agg genes. Both E. faecalis strains were positive for the cell wall-associated protein Esp and the cell wall adhesin efaA(fs), whereas the cell wall adhesin efaA(fm) was detected in 11 of the 12 E. faecium strains. Only one strain possessed the cylL(s) determinant, and another possessed the cylA gene. Incidence of virulence determinants was thus very low; hence, the enterococcal adventitious microflora tested is essentially safe.     

Enterococcus populations in Pecorino Abruzzese cheese: biodiversity and safety aspects

The presence of enterococci in Pecorino Abruzzese cheese during ripening was evaluated. Counts were high, especially in fully ripened summer batches. Seventy strains were isolated and identified based on phenotypical and genotypical features as Enterococcus faecium (48.5%), Enterococcus faecalis (40%), and Enterococcus durans (11.5%), with the first species predominant in spring batches and the second predominant in summer batches. High biodiversity was revealed by random amplification of polymorphic DNA and a PCR assay, suggesting the presence of autochthonous strains. E. faecium isolates were the most resistant to the tested antibiotics, especially to erythromycin, chloramphenicol, and penicillin, but all strains were susceptible to vancomycin, as confirmed by the absence of vanA and vanB genes. The presence of some virulence determinants was investigated, revealing the diffusion of aggregation substance (asal) and gelatinase (gelE) genes in 37.5% of E. faecalis strains. However, none of the isolates produced gelatinase in vitro, suggesting the presence of silent genes. The virulence genes were absent in E. durans. Among E. faecium strains, only Lab 41/1 possessed gelE and asal, whose presence previously has been reported only in E. faecalis. Decarboxylating activity was revealed for phenylalanine (27% of the strains) and tyrosine (96%) but not histidine. The presence of a tyrosine decarboxylase-encoding gene was observed for all strains. A comparison of these results with those of previous studies of clinical and food isolates indicates that enterococci from Pecorino Abruzzese cheese have low pathogenic potential.     

Antibiotic resistance and virulence factors among Enterococci isolated from chouriço, a traditional Portuguese dry fermented sausage

Enterococci are ubiquitous microorganisms, found as part of the normal intestinal microbiota of many animals. They can be present in food products, for example, the Portuguese dry fermented sausage chouri?o. Twenty enterococci were isolated from chouri?o in two processing units; after identification and typification by conventional-molecular methods, the isolates were screened for virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. Identification allocated all enterococci to the species Enterococcus faecalis, and PCR fingerprinting demonstrated that each isolate was specific to the processing unit and chouri?o from which it was recovered. Regarding the screening for virulence factors, 1 strain produced cytolysin and 4 were gelatinase positive, but none produced lipase. The ace gene was detected in 1 enterococci, ebpABC and efaA(fs) in 16 isolates each, esp in 3, fsrB in 5, gelE in 7, and cylA in 1. A multiresistant phenotype was observed in 8 isolates, 6 belonging to factory A. The antibiotic resistance gene ere(B) was detected in 9 enterococci, whereas the genes tet(M), aac(6')-Ie-aph(2'), and vanA were detected in 8 isolates each. As some of the E. faecalis chouri?o isolates present a multiresistant profile and harbor virulence and/or resistance genes, to assess further the safety of Portuguese dry sausages, a larger number of products and processing units must by analyzed.     

Probiotic assessment of Enterococcus faecalis CP58 isolated from human gut

A total of seventy lactic acid bacteria (LAB) were isolated from the faeces of healthy humans and their identities were confirmed by sequencing of their 16S rDNA genes. Of these only 5 isolates were found to resist bile salts and indicated survival in the simulated in vitro digestion assay which reproduces the stomach and intestinal digestion indicating their tolerance to gastric enzymes and the low pH conditions. Species that showed the best resistance to these conditions were: Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus sp., uncultured bifidobacteria, Enterococcus faecalis and Streptococcus anginosus. These strains were investigated further to study their capacity to adhere to human intestinal Caco-2 cells. E. faecalis was the most adherent strain. Examination of the virulence determinants for this strain indicated that it was positive for efaAfs, gelE, agg, cpd, cob, ccf and cad, a profile that is similar to that of many E. faecalis isolates from food sources. The cytolysin biosynthetic genes cylA, cylB and cylM that are more associated with the clinical isolates of E. faecium were not detected in this strain. The antibiotic susceptibility tests indicated that the strain was sensitive to vancomycin, tetracycline, rifampicin and erythromycin but resistant only to kanamycin and chloramphenicol. These data suggest that the strain E. faecalis CP58 may be tested further for beneficial properties and developed as a new probiotic.