Restoring Vancomycin Resistance in Enterococcus faecium
Author Information
Author(s): McInnes Ross S., Snaith Ann E., Dunn Steven J., Papangeli Maria, Hardy Katherine J., Hussain Abid, van Schaik Willem
Primary Institution: University of Birmingham
Hypothesis
Can the integration of vanHAX genes restore vancomycin resistance in a susceptible Enterococcus faecium strain?
Conclusion
The study found that the integration of vanHAX genes downstream of a ribosomal RNA operon can restore vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus faecium.
Supporting Evidence
- Isolate OI25 was found to carry vanHAX genes but was phenotypically susceptible to vancomycin.
- Upon exposure to vancomycin, OI25 could revert to a resistant phenotype.
- Constitutive expression of vanHAX genes was observed in revertant isolates.
- Revertant isolates did not exhibit significant growth defects despite high-level expression of resistance genes.
Takeaway
Some bacteria can seem weak but can become strong again when they are around certain medicines. This study shows how a specific bacteria can turn back into a strong one that can fight off a medicine called vancomycin.
Methodology
The study involved genomic characterization, long-read sequencing, and RT-qPCR analysis to investigate the mechanisms of vancomycin resistance.
Limitations
The study was limited to isolates from a specific hospital ward and may not represent all Enterococcus faecium strains.
Participant Demographics
Isolates were collected from 24 patients in a haematology ward.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website