Open AccessCopper Resistance in Enterococcus faecium , Mediated by the tcrB Gene, Is Selected by Supplementation of Pig Feed with Copper Sulfate
Author(s) -
Henrik Hasman,
Isabelle Kempf,
B. Chidaine,
Roland Cariolet,
Annette Kjær Ersbøll,
Hans Houe,
Hans Christian Bruun Hansen,
Frank Møller Aarestrup
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
applied and environmental microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.552
H-Index - 324
eISSN - 1070-6291
pISSN - 0099-2240
DOI - 10.1128/aem.02979-05
Subject(s) - enterococcus faecium , copper , microbiology and biotechnology , biology , enterococcus , gene , chemistry , antibiotics , genetics , organic chemistry
Thetcr gene cluster mediates in vitro copper resistance inEnterococcus faecium . Here we describe the selection oftcr -mediated copper resistance inE. faecium in an animal feeding experiment with young pigs fed 175 mg copper/kg feed (ppm), which is the concentration commonly used for piglets in European pig production.tcr -mediated copper resistance was not selected for in a control group fed low levels of copper (6 ppm). We also show coselection of macrolide- and glycopeptide-resistantE. faecium in the animal group fed the high level of copper. Finally, we identify thetcr genes in the enterococcal speciesE. mundtii ,E. casseliflavus , andE. gallinarum for the first time.