Wide Distribution of Virulence Genes amongEnterococcus faeciumandEnterococcus faecalisClinical Isolates

Abstract

Enterococcus, a Gram-positive facultative anaerobic cocci belonging to the lactic acid bacteria of the phylum Firmicutes, is known to be able to resist a wide range of hostile conditions such as different pH levels, high concentration of NaCl (6.5%), and the extended temperatures between 5°C and 65°C. Despite being the third most common nosocomial pathogen, our understanding on its virulence factors is still poorly understood. The current study was aimed to determine the prevalence of different virulence genes inEnterococcus faecalisandEnterococcus faecium. For this purpose, 79 clinical isolates of Malaysian enterococci were evaluated for the presence of virulence genes.pilB, fms8, efaAfm, andsgrAgenes are prevalent in all clinical isolates. In conclusion, the pathogenicity ofE. faecalisandE. faeciumcould be associated with different virulence factors and these genes are widely distributed among the enterococcal species.