FREQUENCY OF INTESTINAL CARRIAGE OF HIGH-LEVEL STREPTOMYCIN RESISTANT ENTEROCOCCAL ISOLATES IN HEALTHY CHILDREN ATTENDING SCHOOLS IN ARDABIL, 2017

Background and Aim:Enterococci are common intestinal microflora. Their ability to acquire high-level resistance to antimicrobial agents enterococci have emerged as nosocomial pathogens worldwide. Treatment of severe enterococcal infections typically include combination of a beta-lactam agent and an aminoglycoside antibiotic.Methods:Totally 305 fecal specimens were collected from healthy children during last year. Enterococcus spp identified to the genus level using biochemical tests. The species (E. faecalis and E. faecium) were identified by screening the ddlE gene using PCR technique. High level streptomycin (HLSR) resistance was determined using BHI agar-screen method according to CLSI. The genes encoding aminoglycoside modifying enzymes ant(6 ) and ant(3 ) in the genome of HLSR isolates were detected using multiplex PCR method.Results:Enterococcal isolates were isolated from stool specimens in all 305 subjects. E faecium was found as commonest 77%(235) species followed by E. faecalis as 18%(56) and other enterococci 38%(118). Totally 23%(71)enterococcal isolates were found to be HLSR. Out of those 56%(40) isolates were E. faecium7%(5) were E. faecalis and other enterococci were 36%(26) in numbers.Thirty five (23%) out of 71 HLSR isolates were ant(6 ) positive. Overall, 7%(2), 56%(19) and 36%(14) of E. faecalis, E. faecium, other enterococcal spp. contained ant(6 ) respectively. The ant(3 ) gene was not detected in this study.Conclusion:Colonization of HLSR enterococci is found to be high in the study population. Colonized antibiotic resistant enterococci could be act as a source for nosocomial infection. The data of the antibiotic resistant bacteria could be implemented in infection control measures.

کلیدواژه ها:

Enterococci ، carriage ، High level streptomycin resistance ، healthy children