ABSTRACT
Objective: The study was undertaken to investigate the genomic and phenotypic relationship among E.faecium strains isolated from chicken and clinical sources. Methods: Enterococci were isolated and identified by conventional biochemical methods and the antibiotic susceptibility was determined by disk diffusion methods. Phenotypes and genotypes of vancomycin resistance were detected by E tests and PCR amplification techniques respectively. Genotyping of the vancomycin resistant E.faecium from two sources were done by RAPD typing. Results: The Vancomycin resistant E.faecium identified was selected for this comparative study. Among the VREF from two sources minor biochemical difference with regards to raffinose fermentation and haemolytic properties was observed. The RAPD tests using random primers also showed polymorphism. Conclusion: The results of the study showed that the strains from two different sources were not identical.