
Foods, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 14(7), P. 1150 - 1150
Published: March 26, 2025
This study investigates the occurrence, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) profiles, virulence factors, and plasmid composition of Enterococcus species isolated from salad ingredients in United Arab Emirates (UAE). Four hundred vegetable items collected local markets, over ten months through 2023, were screened, yielding an detection rate 85.5% (342/400). E. casseliflavus was most commonly identified (50%), followed by faecium (20%) faecalis (16%). Among 85 isolates tested for susceptibility, 55.3% displayed to at least one agent, with 18.8% classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR). All not resistant ampicillin, linezolid, teicoplanin, tigecycline, high-level gentamicin. Intrinsic phenotypic vancomycin found gallinarum casseliflavus, while low-level (<5%) ciprofloxacin erythromycin sporadically detected faecalis. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) 14 (nine faecium, four faecalis, casseliflavus) unveiled a complex resistome. We report first vegetables genes (vanC, vanXY-C2) vancomycin-susceptible isolate. Identifying tetM, ermB, optrA studied further underscored emerging tetracyclines, macrolides, oxazolidinones. Concurrently, gene analysis revealed 74 putative harboring higher diversity biofilm-related exoenzyme-encoding genes. One strain carried cytolysin cluster (cylI, cylS, cylM), highlighting its pathogenic potential. Plasmid profiling 19 distinct plasmids, ranging 3845 bp 133,159 bp. genome-sequenced isolates, mobilizable plasmids (47.3%) AMR genes, especially tet(L) tet(M), whereas conjugative (10.5%) did harbor determinants. These findings highlight that can still potentially transmit strains clinically relevant determinants traits. Enhancing foodborne surveillance WGS targeted interventions is key controlling spread food.
Language: Английский