Determination of Virulence Factors and Antibiotic Resistances of Enterococcus spp. Identified from Different Stages of Ripened (Classical) White Cheese Production

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine the presence of virulence genes (asa1, gelE, cylA, ace, esp, hyl and efaA), and vancomycin resistance genes (vanA, vanB, vanC2/C3) and the resistance to some antibiotics of Enterococcus spp. isolates previously identified from different stages of ripened white cheese production. In addition, gelatinase, β-hemolytic and DNase activity, and biofilm formations were examined phenotypically. In this study, efaA in 95.9%, asa1 in 89%, ace in 68.5%, esp in 52.1%, gelE in 78.1%, cylA in 16.4% and hyl in 23.3% of isolates were detected. Also, vanA in 31.5%, vanB in 8.2%, and in vanC2/C3 23.3% resistance genes were determined. β-hemolytic and DNase activity were detected in 23.2% and 16.4% of the isolates, while gelatinase activity and biofilm formation could not be detected phenotypically. Moreover, streptomycin and erythromycin resistances were found in 73.9% and in %43.8 of isolates. As a result, it was concluded that Enterococcus spp. may pose a risk for public health and food safety in terms of their virulence factors and antibiotic resistance. For this reason, it was suggested that the strains to be selected as starter cultures should be used after evaluating their virulence factors and resistance to antibiotics.