In this study, the presence of genes responsible for the pathogenicity and antibiotic resistance profile of enterococci isolated from various foodstuffs of animal origin was investigated. The percentage prevalence of enterococci was 54.1% (203/375) and the average count was found to be 3.81 log cfu/ml-g. Species-specific primers revealed Enterococcus faecalis as the predominant species carrying one or more virulence-associated traits of efa, gelE, ace, esp and agg genetic markers. Only one E. faecium isolate (from milk) was positive for the esp gene. Regarding antibiotic resistance, the highest frequency of resistance was observed for tetracycline (21.7%), followed by quinupristin/dalfopristin (13.3%), ciprofloxacin (2.0%), penicillin (2.0%), linezolid (1.0%), ampicillin (1.0%), streptomycin (1.0%), and gentamicin (0.5%). Enterococcus faecalis showed a higher prevalence of antibiotic resistance than other enterococci. The percentage of multidrug resistance among the isolates was 3.4%. Twenty-nine E. faecalis isolates (26.6%) carrying one of the virulence-associated traits were at the same time resistant to at least one antibiotic. Our results show that foods of animal origin, including ready-to-eat products, may be reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant and potentially virulent enterococci.

This study aimed to determine the presence of pathogenic Vibrio spp., S. aureus and Salmonella in 100 seafood samples purchased from retail outlets in Bursa city (Turkey). Of the samples examined including fish, mussel and shrimp, 67% were found to be contaminated with Vibrio . Presumed Vibrio spp. were identified by standard biochemical tests, and further confirmed by API 20E system. Identified Vibrio spp. were V. parahaemolyticus (28%), V. vulnificus (1%) and V. cholerae (1%), with the most prevalent being V. alginolyticus (37%). Six (6%) of the samples analysed were positive for S. aureus. However, no contamination of the samples with Salmonella was observed. Our results showed that seafood from retail outlets can be a likely vehicle for infections with Vibrio spp. and S. aureus.