Teresa Semedo-Lemsaddek1, Carla Mottola2, Cynthia Alves-Barroco2, Patrícia Cavaco-Silva3, Luís Tavares2, Manuela Oliveira2. 1. Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: tlemsaddek@fmv.ulisboa.pt. 2. Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal, Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária, Universidade de Lisboa, Avenida da Universidade Técnica, Lisboa, Portugal. 3. TechnoPhage, S.A., Lisboa, Portugal; Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar Egas Moniz (CiiEM), Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz, Monte de Caparica, Portugal.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Diabetes mellitus is a highly prevalent chronic progressive disease with complications that include diabetic-foot ulcers. METHODS: Enterococci isolated from diabetic-foot infections were identified, evaluated by macro-restriction analysis, and screened for virulence traits and antimicrobial resistance. RESULTS: All isolates were considered multidrug-resistant, cytolysin and gelatinase producers, and the majority also demonstrated the ability to produce biofilms. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the importance of enterococci in diabetic-foot infection development and persistence, especially regarding their biofilm-forming ability and resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics.
INTRODUCTION:Diabetes mellitus is a highly prevalent chronic progressive disease with complications that include diabetic-foot ulcers. METHODS: Enterococci isolated from diabetic-foot infections were identified, evaluated by macro-restriction analysis, and screened for virulence traits and antimicrobial resistance. RESULTS: All isolates were considered multidrug-resistant, cytolysin and gelatinase producers, and the majority also demonstrated the ability to produce biofilms. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the importance of enterococci in diabetic-foot infection development and persistence, especially regarding their biofilm-forming ability and resistance to clinically relevant antibiotics.