y2018m08b03
20180911070000
assa
nadine@assaf.org.za
assa
South African Journal of Science
S. Afr. J. Sci
1996-7489
09112018
114
9/10
Emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in South Africa: Implications for public health
Frank E.
Tatsing Foka
Department of Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa
http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6577-2827
Ajay
Kumar
Department of Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa
Collins N.
Ateba
Department of Microbiology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, North-West University, Mafikeng, South Africa
South Africa is among the countries with the highest prevalence of debilitating diseases such as HIV/Aids and diabetes. In this context, the emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VREs) in most South African ecological niches is quite disturbing, taking into consideration the fact that therapeutic options in a case of resistant-enterococci infection would be limited. Agricultural practices coupled with the misuse of antibiotics in intensive animal rearing and in hospital facilities have led to the creation of reservoirs of VREs in the environment. VREs can cause serious health problems by transmitting their resistance genes to susceptible pathogens; they are transmitted to humans by direct or indirect contact and through the food chain. We screened thoroughly the AJOL and the PubMed databases for studies on VRE incidence in South Africa. This review gives insight into the current status of antimicrobial resistance management in South Africa; it explores the different pathways involved in the spread of VREs and proposes possible solutions to tackle the issue of VREs and antimicrobial resistance in South Africa and other parts of the world.
09112018
1
10.17159/sajs.2016/crossmark
sajs.co.za
false
2017-10-05
2018-05-07
2018-09-11
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
10.17159/sajs.2018/4508
20180911070000
https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/4508
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https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/4508/7119
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https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/4508/7119
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https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/4508/7119
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https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/4508/7119
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https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/4508/7119
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https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/4508/7119
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https://www.sajs.co.za/article/view/4508/7119