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Previous Volume 337:1558-1559 November 20, 1997 Number 21 Next

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To the Editor: In enterococci vancomycin resistance of the VanA phenotype is usually due to the presence of seven genes organized in a cluster on a transposon (Tn1546).^1,2 The recent emergence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci is believed to be due to the vertical clonal spread of resistant strains and the horizontal spread of the transposon itself among different strains of enterococci in a selective environment. Use of avoparcin — a glycopeptide, like vancomycin — as an antimicrobial growth promoter in animal feeds creates such a selective environment and causes the selection of vancomycin-resistant enterococci in the intestinal flora.

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References

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