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Chloramphenicol-resistant Neisseria meningitidis containing catP isolated in Australia

Tiffany R Shultz1, John W Tapsall, Peter A White

  • 1Department of Microbiology, South Eastern Sydney Area Health Services, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney 2031, Australia.

The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|October 18, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Two Australian meningococcal strains show chloramphenicol resistance, linked to a mobile genetic element from Clostridium perfringens. This finding is significant given low systemic antibiotic use, suggesting alternative resistance mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Chloramphenicol resistance in Neisseria meningitidis has been previously reported in Vietnam and France.
  • Invasive meningococcal disease remains a significant public health concern globally.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To characterize two distinct serogroup B meningococcal strains exhibiting chloramphenicol resistance isolated in Australia.
  • To investigate the genetic basis and potential mechanisms of chloramphenicol resistance in these meningococcal isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Phenotypic testing including disc diffusion, Etest, and agar inclusion Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC).
  • Acetylated chloramphenicol examination.
  • DNA amplification and sequencing to identify resistance genes and mobile genetic elements.

Main Results:

  • Two distinct serogroup B meningococcal strains isolated in Australia (1994 and 1997) demonstrated phenotypic chloramphenicol resistance.
  • Genetic analysis confirmed the presence of catP and the 3' end of tnpV from the mobilizable element Tn4451.
  • Tn4451 was found inserted into the TIGR locus NMB1350 without apparent disruption of virulence genes.

Conclusions:

  • This study reports the second instance of chloramphenicol-resistant meningococci, identified in Australia.
  • The resistance mechanism appears linked to the Tn4451 element, potentially influenced by high topical chloramphenicol use.
  • Current methods for screening and defining chloramphenicol resistance in meningococci require further refinement.

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