Evidence of vancomycin resistance gene transfer between enterococci of human origin in the gut of mice harbouring human microbiota

Abstract

Here, we show for the first time that transfer of the vanA gene cluster can occur between Enterococcus strains in the DT colonized with a human microbiota and in the absence of selective pressure. The colonization properties of other enterococci transconjugants and the influence of vancomycin intake should be further investigated since transfers in the DT of animals and humans might contribute to emergence and dissemination of new vancomycin-resistant bacteria.