Genomic characterisation of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium with Tn1546-plasmid rep17 in obstetrics and gynaecology settings in Algeria.
Molecular genetics and genomics : MGG·
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00438-026-02505-0
- PMID
- 42637933
- PMCID
- —
- OpenAlex
- —
- Study type
- Genomic study
- Publisher
- Publisher unavailable
- Article type
- journal-article
- Integrity
- current
Why this research matters now
The findings document the presence of epidemic VREfm ST80 clone evolving in Algerian healthcare settings, with vancomycin resistance severely limiting treatment options for a major global health threat. The rep17 plasmid carrying both vancomycin and aminoglycoside resistance genes raises concern for potential horizontal gene transfer to other pathogens.
Structured evidence summary
Research question
The study aimed to characterize the genomic features of two vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium clinical isolates recovered from surgical site infections in obstetrics and gynecology patients in Algeria.
Study design
Genomic analysis of two clinical vanA-type VREfm isolates using whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic methods to examine plasmids, resistance genes, and genomic relationships.
Population and setting
Two hospitalized patients in obstetrics and gynecology departments who developed post-operative surgical site infections. The isolates were collected 20 days apart.
Main findings
Both isolates belonged to ST80 within clonal complex CC17 and were closely related, differing by only 8 genomic SNPs. They displayed multidrug resistance and carried the vanA operon within a Tn1546 transposon-like element on a rep17 plasmid that also harbored aminoglycoside resistance genes with potential for horizontal transfer to staphylococci.
Public-health relevance
The findings document the presence of epidemic VREfm ST80 clone evolving in Algerian healthcare settings, with vancomycin resistance severely limiting treatment options for a major global health threat. The rep17 plasmid carrying both vancomycin and aminoglycoside resistance genes raises concern for potential horizontal gene transfer to other pathogens.
Important limitations
This summary relies on the supplied single-article abstract and metadata. The small sample size of two isolates from a single facility limits generalizability. Full assessment of genomic context, transmission dynamics, and clinical outcomes requires review of the complete article.
GIDS interpretation
This article was identified through classifier links for vancomycin resistance, Algeria, genomic epidemiology, and treatment topics. It provides genomic characterization of a clinically important resistance phenotype in a healthcare setting but does not represent population-level surveillance data.
Related GIDS surveillance
Literature context does not validate, explain, or change a surveillance signal. Exact and contextual relationships are shown separately.
Evidence relationships
This article has 8 auditable classifier relationships to diseases, places, topics, and study design.