Phenotypic and genotypic evaluation of vancomycin-resistant enerococcal strains isolated from various clinical specimens

. In this study, vancomycin and teicoplanin resistance were determined phenotypically in Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus strains (VRE) obtained from various clinical samples and VanA, VanB and VanC were investigated by genotypic methods. 30 Vancomycin-resistant Enterococ spp. Strains isolated from various clinical specimens at Van Yuzuncu Yil University Faculty of Medicine Hospital Microbiology Laboratory between 2015 and 2018. (VRE) strain was included in the study. Automated system was used for identification of strains and determination of antibiotic resistance. Vancomycin and teicoplanin resistance were determined by gradient test method. Resistance genes were investigated by in-house PCR using appropriate primers. As a result of identification tests, 29 strains were identified as E. faecium and one as E. faecalis. While all strains were resistant to vancomycin and teicoplanin by the automated identification system, three of the isolates with gradient test method were found to be sensitive. Molecular method of these three strains VanA, VanB and VanC. It has not been demonstrated. While VanA gene was detected in 27 strains and VanB gene was detected in one strain, VanC gene was not detected in any strain. Resistance gene detection by Gradient test and molecular method was found to be 100% compatible with vancomycin resistance in enterococci isolates. Gradient test method can be used as an important screening test in the determination of glycopeptide resistance of enterococcal isolates in clinical microbiology laboratory Anahtar kelimeler: Vancomycin resistant Enterococci, Gradient test, VanA, VanB and VanC.