Detection of Enterococcal Surface Protein Gene ( esp ) and Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism Typing of Glycopeptide-Resistant Enterococcus faecium during Its Emergence in a Greek Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

The emergence of glycopeptide-resistant Enterococcus faecium (GREF) in a Greek intensive care unit was studied by amplified fragment length polymorphism analysis and esp gene detection. Three GREF clones harboring the esp gene were recovered from 17 out of 21 patients, indicating the dissemination of genetically homogenous and virulent strains of GREF.