Physicochemical Properties Of Hemagglutinin Molecules In Enterococcus Species Isolated From Clinical And Fecal Samples Of Colonized Patients

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of unusual Enterococcus isolates, investigate the physicochemical properties and the hemagglutination activity after various enzyme treatments of hemagglutinin molecules and determine multidrug resistance pattern in clinical and fecal sample. Materials and Methods: Enterococci isolated from clinical & fecal samples of colonized patients, were identified to species level. Hemagglutination activities were investigated by HA test after treatment of bacteria with trypsin, protease K and pepsin. MIC was determined and multiplex PCR was used to detect the presence of van genes. Results: The result of reduced HA activity of enzyme treated clinical strains that were VRE showed that 22.2% trypsin treated and 25.0% each of pepsin & protease treated bacterial cell suspensions agglutinated rabbit RBC. 16.6% trypsin treated and 19.4 % each of pepsin & protease K treated cell suspension agglutinated human “O” whereas 16.6% trypsin treated & 19.4% each of pepsin & protease K treated cell suspension agglutinated human “B” RBCs each. The rate of agglutination with enzyme treated cell suspensions in fecal VRE were 16.6%, followed by 20.8% each with rabbit RBC on trypsin, pepsin and protease K treatment. VR E. gallinarum showed 100% resistance to penicillin, ciprofloxacin & imipenem and to high level gentamicin. Conclusion: HA activity was more common with rabbit RBC in both clinical and fecal isolates, in VRE as well as VSE. Enzyme treatment of bacterial cell suspension was further found to reduce HA activity. The high antibiotic resistance seen is also suggestive of the possibility of circulation of transposable elements carrying resistant genes among clinical isolates.