Isolation of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci from Chicken Meat Samples in Isfahan. 2019

Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) are endemic in hospital settings, and the prevalence of colonization is increasing. Enterococci are intestinal bacteria which colonize mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. VRE are among the first documented antibiotic resistant bacteria with primary origin in animals. So, the contamination of food with VRE strains, particularly of meat and meat products, is very important. The aim of the study was to evaluate the occurrence of VRE strains in chicken meat collected from supermarkets in Isfahan.

From September to November 2019, a total of 12 chicken meat samples were collected from 2 different supermarkets in Isfahan. All fresh samples were collected in original packs and after filtration, filter membranes were transferred to mEnterococcus agar plates supplemented with 8 µg/ml vancomycin and bile esculin agar and black colonies were confirmed as enterococci using ent specific primers. All enterococcal isolates were identified at the species level using multiplex-PCR assay and the presence of vanA-vanG genotypes was tested using another multiplex-PCR.

A total of 319 vancomycin resistant Enterococcus faecium were identified among all meat samples using specific primers. All strains were positive for vanA genotype and also the frequency of vanB and vanD genes was 13 and 5%, respectively. Moreover, 2% of VRE strains harbored all triple vanA, vanB and vanD genes and none of the strains were positive for vanC, vanE and vanG genes.

The results of the present study indicated the high prevalence of VRE strains in chicken meat samples in Isfahan which could be a concern for public health