Özet:

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of Enterococcus spp., resistance profiles, and the presence of the VanA and VanB resistance genes in the chicken meat samples that were collected from the Van market, Turkey. A total of 100 chicken meat samples were used. Among the samples, 27 (27%) were Enterococcus spp. positive. A total of 67 isolates were obtained from 27 chicken meat samples, which were positive for Enterococcus spp. Among the 67 isolates, 53 (79.10%) were identified to be E. faecalis and 14 (20.90%) were identified to be E. faecium. The analysis of antibiotic resistance revealed that 48 isolates (71.74%) exhibited resistance to multiple antibiotics and 19 isolates (28.36%) were resistant to at least one antibiotic. At least 50% of the E. faecalis and E. faecium strains were intermediately sensitive to ampicillin, penicillin, chloramphenicol, vancomycin, and gentamicin. Moreover, the presence of the VanA and VanB genes in 13 strains that were phenotypically and intermediately resistant to vancomycin was examined by PCR test. The PCR analysis revealed that no isolate had the VanA and VanB genes. As a result, the detection of Enterococcus spp. in chicken meat is an indication of not paying attention to hygienic conditions. At the same time, the existence of multiple antibiotic resistance in isolates obtained from these foods also suggests that phenotypically determined resistances may threaten public health.