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Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria
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Biosensor for Detection of Antibiotic Resistant Staphylococcus Bacteria

Published on: May 8, 2013

Detection of multiple macrolide- and lincosamide-resistant strains of Streptococcus pyogenes from patients in the

Meredith E Hasenbein1, John E Warner, Kathleen G Lambert

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children's Hospital Boston and Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts 02115, USA.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|April 9, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus pyogenes resistance to erythromycin and clindamycin is a growing concern. Multiple resistance genes, including erm(A), erm(B), and mef(A), contribute to macrolide and lincosamide antibiotic resistance in S. pyogenes strains.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Macrolide and lincosamide antibiotics are alternatives for penicillin-allergic patients with Streptococcus pyogenes pharyngitis.
  • Erythromycin resistance in S. pyogenes can be high, up to 48% in some US populations.
  • Resistance mechanisms involve various genes, including erm(A), erm(B), and mef(A).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence and mechanisms of erythromycin and clindamycin resistance in S. pyogenes.
  • To characterize the genetic basis of antibiotic resistance in clinical isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 196 S. pyogenes isolates from throat cultures.
  • Phenotypic testing for erythromycin and clindamycin resistance (constitutive and inducible).
  • Molecular methods including PCR for resistance genes (erm(A), erm(B), mef(A)), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, and emm typing.

Main Results:

  • 15.3% (15/196) of S. pyogenes isolates were resistant to erythromycin.
  • Erythromycin-resistant isolates harbored erm(B) (3 isolates, constitutive clindamycin resistance), erm(A) (5 isolates, inducible clindamycin resistance), or mef(A) (7 isolates, clindamycin susceptible).
  • Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and emm typing indicated the presence of multiple S. pyogenes strains exhibiting resistance.

Conclusions:

  • Multiple genetic mechanisms contribute to macrolide and lincosamide resistance in S. pyogenes.
  • The study highlights the presence of diverse resistance patterns in clinical isolates.
  • Understanding these resistance mechanisms is crucial for effective treatment of S. pyogenes infections.

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