Distribution of Selected Drug-resistant Enterococcus Species in Meat Plants in Poland

This study aimed to assess the prevalence of enterococci (including vancomycin-resistant, VRE) strains in meat plants and evaluate their biofilm-forming potential. In two Polish meat plants, 75 samples of raw pork meat, swabs from work surfaces (floors, tables, machine parts and tools) and employees’ hands were collected. The analyses indicated that enterococci were present in more than 72% of the tested samples. In addition, VRE isolates were found in more than 25% of the tested samples (especially in cutting and processing rooms). VRE strains of Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis were resistant to penicillin, ampicillin, erythromycin, and rifampicin. Moreover, 77% of E. faecium and 43% of E. faecalis isolates showed biofilm-forming ability. The observed high biofilm-forming potential among the analyzed VRE strains indicates that these agents may play an essential role in spreading drug resistance in the food chain through contaminated surfaces, meat, and workers’ hands.