Work

Molecular characterisation of fosfomycin resistant Enterococci faecalis isolated from a tertiary care medical hospital in northern India

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: To evaluate the in-vitro activity of fosfomycin in urinary isolates of Enterococcus faecalis and look for the molecular mechanisms responsible for resistance to this antibiotic. METHODS: E. faecalis isolates recovered from urine samples were processed for the presence of genes encoding the FOS modifying enzymes, fosA, fosB, fosC, fosX and murA. DNA was extracted using QIAamp DNA Mini kit. Conventional PCR using forward and reverse primers targeting the five genes was carried out. The amplified products were electrophoresed and visualized in a gel documentation system. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done by disc diffusion method. RESULTS: A total of 274 isolates of E. faecalis isolates were part of our study out of which 57 (20.8 %) were FOS resistant. Slightly more number of FOS resistant isolates were recovered from female patients, 30 (52.6 %) and from patients in the age group of >39 yrs. Majority of the FOS resistant isolates were recovered from patients attending the OPD. Vancomycin resistance was seen in 69 (25.2 %) E. faecalis isolates. fosB was was the most common gene, present in 42 (73.7 %) isolates and murA was present in 15 (26.3 %) isolates of E. faecalis. Furthermore all the FOS resistant, vancomycin resistant isolates harboured the fosB gene (n = 26). CONCLUSION: To our knowledge this study is the first to explore FOS resistance in E. faecalis isolates from this part of the country. Increased resistance to FOS as compared to what has been reported previously calls for strict implementation of infection control protocols as well as heightened surveillance studies.

Source: Indian Journal of Medical Microbiology

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijmmb.2025.101022

Authors: Anjum Ara Mir, Sayim Wani, Nargis Bali, Bisma Ahad, Masooma Showkat, Aarifa Bashir

Institution: Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences

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: $2,210