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Full-Text Articles in Pathogenic Microbiology
Molecular And Genomic Based Insights Into The Evolution Of Enterococcus Faecium From Commensal To Hospital-Adapted Pathogen, Jessica R. Galloway-Pena
Molecular And Genomic Based Insights Into The Evolution Of Enterococcus Faecium From Commensal To Hospital-Adapted Pathogen, Jessica R. Galloway-Pena
Dissertations & Theses (Open Access)
The basis for the recent transition of Enterococcus faecium from a primarily commensal organism to one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections in the United States is not yet understood. To address this, the first part of my project assessed isolates from early outbreaks in the USA and South America using sequence analysis, colony hybridizations, and minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) which showed clinical isolates possess virulence and antibiotic resistance determinants that are less abundant or lacking in community isolates. I also revealed that the level of ampicillin resistance increased over time in clinical strains. By sequencing the pbp5 gene, …