Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 22, 2026

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)
12:18

Subcutaneous Infection of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA)

Published on: February 9, 2011

Emergence of macrolide-resistant Streptococcus pyogenes strains in French children

Edouard Bingen1, Philippe Bidet, Liliana Mihaila-Amrouche

  • 1Université Denis Diderot-Paris 7, Service de Microbiologie, Hôpital Robert Debré, 48 Bd Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France. edouard.bingen@rdb.ap-hop-paris.fr

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|August 26, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Erythromycin resistance in Streptococcus pyogenes is increasing in French children, primarily linked to specific emm type 28 clones. This resistance is often associated with the ermB gene.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Streptococcus pyogenes is a significant bacterial pathogen causing various infections in children.
  • Antimicrobial resistance in S. pyogenes is a growing public health concern.
  • Understanding resistance patterns and genetic diversity is crucial for effective treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the antimicrobial susceptibility of Streptococcus pyogenes isolates from French children.
  • To determine the serotype and genomic diversity of these isolates.
  • To identify the genetic mechanisms conferring erythromycin resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 322 Streptococcus pyogenes throat isolates from French children.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing, focusing on erythromycin.
  • Molecular methods to identify resistance genes (ermB, ermA, mefA) and emm types.

Main Results:

  • 22.4% of S. pyogenes isolates exhibited erythromycin resistance.
  • The ermB gene was the most prevalent resistance determinant (69.4% of resistant isolates).
  • Erythromycin resistance is strongly associated with specific emm type 28 clones in France.

Conclusions:

  • A notable proportion of S. pyogenes isolates from French children are resistant to erythromycin.
  • The ermB gene is the primary driver of erythromycin resistance in this population.
  • The emergence of resistance is linked to the clonal spread of emm type 28 strains, highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance.

Related Concept Videos

Streptococcal Pharyngitis01:27

Streptococcal Pharyngitis

Streptococcal pharyngitis, commonly known as “strep throat,” is an acute infection of the oropharyngeal tissues caused by the Gram‑positive Group A Streptococcus (Streptococcus pyogenes). Transmission occurs primarily through respiratory droplets expelled during coughing, sneezing, or talking.Mechanisms of Host Entry and Immune EvasionUpon entering the host, S. pyogenes adheres to the mucosal epithelial cells of the pharynx via surface proteins, notably lipoteichoic acid and the antiphagocytic...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Staphylococcal Skin Infections01:29

Staphylococcal Skin Infections

Staphylococcus aureus is a Gram-positive coccus that resides harmlessly on the skin and mucous membranes of healthy individuals. When the skin barrier is breached, it can shift from a commensal to an opportunistic pathogen. This transition is facilitated by surface adhesins, such as clumping factor B and S. aureus surface protein G (SasG), which bind to structural proteins, including loricrin and cytokeratin, in the damaged epidermis. Protein A, another key factor, binds the Fc region of...
Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever01:26

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF) is a severe tick-borne illness caused by Rickettsia rickettsii, a Gram-negative, coccobacillary bacterium. This pathogen is an obligate intracellular parasite, requiring a host cell for replication. Transmission occurs through the bite of an infected tick. In the United States, the most important vectors are Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) and Dermacentor andersoni (Rocky Mountain wood tick), though other tick species may also serve as vectors.
Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

Development of Antibiotic Resistance

Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...