Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns, Biofilm Formation and Gene among Clinical Enterococci: Is There Any Association?

Enterococci are commonly found in humans, animals and environments. Their highly adaptive mechanisms are related to several virulent determinants and their ability to resist antibiotics. Data on the relationship between the gene, biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility profiles may differ between countries. This cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the proportion of gene and biofilm formation among and clinical isolates. We also investigated the possible association between the gene with antibiotic susceptibility patterns and biofilm formation. The isolates were collected from clinical samples and identified using biochemical tests and 16SRNA. Antibiotic susceptibility patterns and a biofilm assay were conducted according to the established guidelines. Molecular detection by PCR was used to identify the gene using established primers. In total, 52 and 28 of and were identified, respectively. exhibited higher resistance rates compared to as follows: piperacillin/tazobactam (100% versus 1.9%), ampicillin (92.8% versus 1.9%), high-level gentamicin resistance (HLGR) (89.3% versus 25.0%) and penicillin (82.1% versus 7.7%). produced more biofilms than (59.3% versus 49.0%). acquired the gene more frequently than (78.6% versus 46.2%). Interestingly, the associations between ampicillin and tazobactam/piperacillin resistance with the gene were statistically significant ( = 4.581, = 0.027; and = 6.276, = 0.012, respectively). Our results demonstrate that exhibits high rates of antimicrobial resistance, gene acquisition and biofilm formation. These peculiar traits of may have implications for the management of enterococcal infections in hospitals. Thus, concerted efforts by all parties in establishing appropriate treatment and effective control measures are warranted in future.