[Emergence of macrolide resistant Streptococcus pyogenes strains in pediatric patients in France]

P Mariani-Kurkdjian1, C Doit, D Deforche

  • 1Service de microbiologie, hôpital Robert-Debré, Paris, France. patricia.mariani@rdb.ap-hop-paris.fr

Pathologie-Biologie
|October 7, 2004
PubMed

Insights

A study found 14.5% of Streptococcus pyogenes strains from children were resistant to erythromycin. Most resistant strains harbored ermB or mefA genes, indicating specific resistance mechanisms.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Context:

  • Streptococcus pyogenes (group A Streptococcus) is a significant human pathogen.
  • Antibiotic resistance in S. pyogenes is a growing public health concern.
  • Recent throat isolates from children provide a relevant population for resistance surveillance.

Purpose:

  • To determine the antibiotic susceptibility of recent S. pyogenes isolates from children.
  • To investigate the genetic mechanisms of erythromycin resistance in these isolates.

Summary:

  • 206 S. pyogenes throat isolates from children (2002-2004) were tested against penicillin, amoxycillin, erythromycin, clarithromycin, and clindamycin.
  • 14.5% of isolates exhibited erythromycin resistance.
  • Erythromycin-resistant strains were analyzed using PCR for resistance genes: 13.5% had ermB (constitutive MLS(B) phenotype) and 1% had mefA (M phenotype).

Impact:

  • Highlights the prevalence of erythromycin resistance in pediatric S. pyogenes isolates.
  • Identifies specific genetic determinants (ermB and mefA) responsible for erythromycin resistance.
  • Provides data crucial for guiding antibiotic treatment strategies and monitoring resistance trends in S. pyogenes infections.

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