Unnoticed spread of linear VanA-plasmids in vancomycin-variable <i>Enterococcus faecium</i> strains across different regions: a diagnostics challenge
This study marks the first identification of VVE strains outside hospital settings, emphasizing the need for broader surveillance. The identification of unique Tn1546-type transposons on linear, broad-host-range plasmids in genetically related E. faecium strains from both hospital and community sources, alongside the detection of similar plasmids in international VVE strains, highlights the importance of routine van gene screening in phenotypically susceptible isolates to improve diagnostic accuracy, support antibiotic stewardship, and prevent future outbreaks.
Authors
- Ana R. Freitas (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7326-4133)
- Ana P. Tedim (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1016-7173)
- Bárbara Duarte (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4239-1575)
- Luís M. Silva (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8203-4006)
- Carla Novais (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3826-6731)
- Luı́sa Peixe
- Júlio Vinícius de Souza Teixeira (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1767-6985)
- Ana C. Almeida-Santos (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6711-4780)
- Ana Paula Castro
Institutions
- Universidade do Porto (PT)
- Cooperativa de Ensino Superior Politécnico e Universitário (PT)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Respiratorias (ES)
- Instituto de Saúde (BR)
- Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (ES)
- Centro Hospitalar do Porto (PT)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
- Published
- 2025-11-20
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1093/jac/dkaf409
- Citations
- 2
- Primary Topic
- Antimicrobial Resistance in Staphylococcus
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 2.79