Virulence Factors of Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis Strains Isolated from Humans and Pets

Authors: TİMUR GÜLHAN, ABDULBAKİ AKSAKAL, İSMAİL HAKKI EKİN, SERAP SAVAŞAN, BANUR BOYNUKARA

Abstract: The virulence factors of 146 Enterococcus faecium and 32 Enterococcus faecalis strains isolated from faecal samples of humans, dogs, and cats were investigated. In total, 178 strains were examined by gelatinase (GelE), aggregation substance (AS), cytolysin, and slide haemagglutination tests. The results of detected virulence factors of E. faecium and E. faecalis strains were: GelE: 17.1% vs. 37.5%; AS: 13% vs. 12.5%; cytolysin: 7.5% vs. 12.5%; haemagglutination activities with rabbit erythrocytes: 9.6% vs. 9.4%; haemagglutination activities with human erythrocytes: 17.1% vs. 21.9%, respectively.

Keywords: Enterococci, gelatinase, aggregation substance, cytolysin, haemagglutination

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