Enterococci as a One Health Indicator of Antimicrobial Resistance.

Abstract

The rapid increase of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in humans and livestock is concerning. Antimicrobials are essential for the treatment of disease in modern day medicine and their misuse in humans and food animals has contributed to an increase in the prevalence of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. Globally, antimicrobial resistance is recognized as an One-health problem affecting humans, animals and environment. Enterococcal species are gram positive bacteria that are widely distributed in nature. Their occurrence, prevalence and persistence across the One-health continuum make them an ideal candidate to study antimicrobial resistance from a One-health perspective. The objective of this review was to summarize the role of enterococci as an indicator of antimicrobial resistance across One-health sectors. We also briefly address the prevalence of enterococci in human, animal and environmental settings. In addition, a 16S RNA gene based phylogenetic tree was constructed to visualize the evolutionary relationship among enterococcal species and if they segregate based on host environment. We also review the genomic basis of antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcal species across the One Health Continuum.