Molecular Analysis of Tn <i>1546</i> -Like Elements in Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Isolated from Patients in Europe Shows Geographic Transposon Type Clustering

Abstract

Resistance mechanism relatedness was studied in 18 clinical, European vanA vancomycin-resistant enterococci. Molecular analysis revealed 10 Tn1546-like elements, suggesting two evolutionary lineages. Lineage I dominated the European mainland, and lineage II dominated the United Kingdom and Israel. Geographic clustering reflected different types of meat consumption between countries, since each lineage is associated with colonization of different animals.