Molecular detection of virulence and resistance genes of Enterococcus species isolated from milk and milk products

Enterococcus spp. as one of the most serious pathogens that could pose risk to animal and human. So, this study aimed to focus alight on virulence of this microbs and to show the releation between antimicrobial resistance and biofilm formation in Enterococcus spp. Atotal of 120 samples of raw milk and cheese were collectedfrom diferent markets in Qena province,Egypt.The conventional identification showed that 30 isolate were suspected to be Enterococcus species, VITEK 2 system confirmed isolates as Enterococcus and classified into15 isolates were Enterococcus fecalis ,10 isolates were Enterococcus faecium whereas the least species were 5 isolates were Enterococcus galliarum.The results of antimicrobial susptability showed that high resistance was recorded against pencillin, Erythromycine, Amoxacillin, Nitrofurton and Cefotaxime. Ten isolates were selected and tested by PCR for detection antimicrobial resistance and biofilm genes.the results showed that our isolates harbored different antimicrobial restance genes as ermB (80%), optrA (0%), blaZ(100%) and vanA (30%) biofilm formation genes hyl and ef3314 (100%), esp (90%).Also, our study is fuelling the concern on significant releationship between biofim formation and specific types of antimicrobial resistance in Enterococcus spp. As Cefatoxime, Pencillin, Ampicillin and Erythromycin. So, the deterrence of the contamination by Enterococcus spp. in milk and its products becomes necessary by applying strict hygenic measure .