Phylogenetic Analysis of the Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance Genes in Enterococcus Species in-silico

The presence virulence determinants and antibiotic resistance patterns in 13 Enterococcus species were investigated through in silico tools. Isolate NC_017312 Enterococcus faecalis 62 was found to harbour the esp gene that might be responsible for persistence in urinary tract epithelial cells. About 30.77% (n=4) isolates harboured aggregation substance, agg gene. The ace gene, responsible for endocarditis, was found in only one isolate. About 38.46% (n=5) isolates were found to harbour efaA gene which is known to enable the adherence to biotic and abiotic surfaces and evade immune response. As for adhesins, efaA was more prevalent (38.46%) gene followed by agg (30.76%), ace and esp (7.69%). Four isolates (30.76%) had pilB gene while 2 isolates (15.38%) had pilA gene. Very low prevalence of putative glycosyltransferase, hyl gene was found that may play insignificant role in the pathogenicity of enterococcal infections. Three isolates (23.08%) were found to harbour both sgrA and ecbA genes. The genes for cylL(L)and cylM were each present in one isolate only. None of the isolate harboured cylA and cylB that may result in lack of genes in cyl operons and produce haemolyticnegative strains. High level of erythromycin, ermB (30.77%) and tetracycline, tetM (23.08%) resistance genes were encountered. Isolate NC_004668 Enterococcus faecalis V583 had the aac(6')-Ie-aph(2 ")-Iagene while no isolate was detected to harbour vanA gene. Adhesin genes were not detected in genotype 1 that contained E. faecium strains only. Cytolysin genes were present in genotype 3 while other virulence genes were present in only genotype 1. Genotype 2 harboured no antibiotic resistance genes. So, antibiotic resistance genes were randomly distributed within the genotypes while virulence gene distribution patterns were dependent on genotype. The data generated here may serve as a basis for additional surveillances studies of infections caused by Enterococcus species and help to choose effective antibiotic for the treatment of enterococcal infections.