Quinupristin-Dalfopristin Resistance in Enterococcus faeciumIsolates from Humans, Farm Animals, and Grocery Store Meat in the United States

ABSTRACTThree hundred sixty-one quinupristin-dalfopristin (Q-D)-resistant Enterococcus faecium(QDREF) isolates were isolated from humans, turkeys, chickens, swine, dairy and beef cattle from farms, chicken carcasses, and ground pork from grocery stores in the United States from 1995 to 2003. These isolates were evaluated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) to determine possible commonality between QDREF isolates from human and animal sources. PCR was performed to detect the streptogramin resistance genes vatD, vatE, and vgbAand the macrolide resistance gene ermBto determine the genetic mechanism of resistance in these isolates. QDREF from humans did not have PFGE patterns similar to those from animal sources. vatEwas found in 35%, 26%, and 2% of QDREF isolates from turkeys, chickens, and humans, respectively, and was not found in QDREF isolates from other sources. ermBwas commonly found in QDREF isolates from all sources. Known streptogramin resistance genes were absent in the majority of isolates, suggesting the presence of other, as-yet-undetermined, mechanisms of Q-D resistance.