Transfer of Tetracycline Resistance Genes with Aggregation Substance in Food-Borne Enterococcus faecalis

摘要: Enterococcus faecalis has the ability to conjugate with aid of aggregation substance (AS) and inducible sex pheromones exchange genetic elements in food matrix. To evaluate safety condition transferable factor, 250 tetracycline-resistant food-borne E. faecalis were collected Korea. Among isolates, a majority isolates (49.6 %) harbored both tet(M) tet(L) genes together, followed by (19.6 %), (6.8 %) alone. Also, we found combination tet(L)/tet(M)/tet(O) or tet(M)/tet(O). We identified two tet(S) including isolate carrying tet(M) + tet(S) genes. Additionally, most E. positive for cpd ccf (both 96.8 %) cob (57.2 %). Through mating experiments, confirmed possessing Int-Tn gene and/or any AS successfully transferred tet JH2-2 E. faecalis, whereas neither nor showed conjugation. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis results supported distinct pattern, implying transfer information. Our study revealed high occurrence tetracycline resistance from various foods. The widespread dissemination would be promoted pheromone-mediated conjugation systems.