Análise da diversidade fenotípica e genotípica de Enterococcus spp. isolados de fezes de suínos

The genus Enterococcus is widely distributed in the environment, and is generally found in feces of warm-blooded animals. However, the microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract of these animals has undergone alterations in its species composition, due to the use of antimicrobials. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the species diversity and genetics of Enterococcus spp. isolated from swine fecal samples. Four species were found: E. faecalis (n=21), E. faecium (n=18), E. mundtii (n=7) and E. hirae (n=9), the first two being the most frequent . The 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer region showed high inter- and intraspecific diversity . E. faecalis showed the highest genetic diversity, and E. hirae the lowest.