High prevalence of fluoroquinolone resistance among Enterococcus faecalis isolated from urine specimens in Kerman, Iran

Introduction and Objectives: Enterococcus faecalis is known as one of the most important nosocomial pathogens causing various diseases such as urinary tract infections. Recently, following the increased use of these antibiotics, fluoroquinolones resistant E. faecalis isolates have been emerged and can considered as global concern. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of fluoroquinolones resistance in E. faecalis isolated from urine specimens in Kerman.Materials and Methods: Herein, 70 E. faecalis isolates were identified based on biochemical tests and confirmed by ddl E.fecalis gene amplification. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin and levofloxacin were determined by agar dilution method based on CLSI guideline. Isolates with MIC ≥4μg/ml, MIC ≥8 μg/ml and MIC ≥16 μg/ml were considered as high-level resistance to ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and ofloxacin , respectively,Results: Totally, 38 isolates (54.2%) were resistant to ciprofloxacin of which 46% showed MIC= 32 μg/ml. additionally, all isolates showed high level resistance to ciprofloxacin (MIC≥ 16 μg/ml). Thirty-five isolates (50%) were resistant to levofloxacin with MIC= 16 μg/ml as the most frequent (40%) and 35 isolates (50%) showed ofloxacin-resistance which most of them showed MIC= 32 μg/ml.Conclusion: According to findings, there is high prevalence of fluoroquinolones resistance among E. faecalis isolated from urinary tract infections in Kerman. This can make difficulties in treatment and result in transmission of resistance to other bacteria. Selection of proper antibiotics and take preventive measures to control resistance dissemination in hospital settings is recommended.

کلیدواژه ها:

Enterococcus faecalis ، Fluoroquinolones ، Antibiotic resistance