Characterization of Enterococcus spp. isolated from a fish farming environment in southern Brazil

Abstract The aim of present study is to characterize the resistance and virulence profile enterococci isolated from aquaculture excavated ponds masonry tanks (6 samples) in southern Brazil. Samples were cultured selective medium, 10 colonies randomly selected each sample, which identified by MALDI-TOF tested against 13 antimicrobials. presence (tetL, tetM, tetS, ermB msrC) (ace, esp, agg, cylA gelE) genes determined PCR. A total 79 identified, Entecococcus faecalis (44.3%) E. casseliflavus (36.7%) most prevalent species isolated. Sixty-five strains (82.3%) resistant at least one antimicrobials tested, whereas 27 (34.2%) multiresistant. overall percentages antimicrobial isolates were: 58.2% rifampicin, 40.5% fluoroquinolones, 36.7% erythromycin 30.4% tetracycline. tetL tetM found 57.7% tetracycline-resistant strains; msrC 31.01% erythromycin-resistant strains. frequently detected factors ace gelE genes. Although limited a single farm, these data suggest that may be reservoir virulent enterococci. This first step towards enhancing our understandingof distribution, fish farming environments south