Work

Comparative analysis of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in colonization and infection—a longitudinal study

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) carriage in the gastrointestinal tract is a risk factor for the development of an invasive infection. The exact mechanisms underlying the transition from colonization to infection are still unclear. We conducted a longitudinal study, including 54 paired VREfm isolates, consisting of a colonization and a subsequent bloodstream isolate from the same patient. We performed whole-genome sequencing, biofilm formation assays, and spot-on-lawn assays to investigate genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of the isolates. No significant differences in these characteristics between paired colonization and infection isolates were detected. Genotyping revealed that colonization isolates were genetically closely related to their respective infection isolates in 22 of 27 (81%) isolate pairs. Further studies focusing on the interaction between host epithelium and pathogen are needed to gain more insight into the transition from colonization to infection. IMPORTANC E Previous studies have primarily focused on patient-related risk factors associated with the development of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VREfm) infection. However, identifying and characterizing the bacterial factors responsible for this transition is crucial, especially given the limited treatment options for VREfm infection. Our analyses revealed no significant differences between colonization and infection isolates, suggesting that host-pathogen interaction may play a more critical role in this progression and should be further investigated. Moreover, our findings highlight the importance of risk assessment and infection prevention measures to prevent VREfm colonization as a critical step in the development of VREfm infection.

Source: Microbiology Spectrum

DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.01750-25

Authors: Vera Blaschke, Vera Rauschenberger, Heike Claus, Stefanie Kampmeier

Institutions: University of Würzburg, Universitätsklinikum Würzburg

Language: English

Topic: Antibiotic Resistance in Bacteria

Subfield: Molecular Medicine

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,500