Investigation article published in Journal of Clinical Microbiology

March 1^st, 2004

Enterococci are commensal bacteria of the intestinal microbiota in humans and animals. Multidrug-resistant enterococci are among the most important pathogens responsible for nosocomial infections in humans (8). During the last decade vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have emerged as a worldwide health problem, i.e., as reservoirs of genes coding for antimicrobial resistance and as possessors of the ability to spread these resistance genes to other bacterial species (17). There are numerous reports on the presence of VRE in farm animals (2, 3). Some epidemiological studies suggest that animals carrying VRE in their gastrointestinal tract could be the source of VRE infections of humans (19). These VRE of animal origin can colonize humans, being able then to transfer their resistance genes to other intestinal bacteria of humans (3, 14). However, there are only a limited number of studies dealing with the occurrence of VRE in companion animals, even though direct contact with such animals is a recognized source of pathogenic bacteria for humans (15, 20).

Herrero IA., Fernandez-Garayzabal JF., Moreno MA. and Dominguez L..

Dogs should be included in surveillance programs for vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Dogs should be included in surveillance programs for vancomycin-resistant enterococci

	Departamento de Sanidad Animal. Facultad de Veterinaria. Universidad Complutense (UCM).
	Servicio de Zoonosis de Transmisión Alimentaria y Resistencia a Antimicrobianos (ZTA). Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria (VISAVET). Universidad Complutense (UCM).