Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 16, 2026

Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae by Latex Agglutination
09:11

Capsular Serotyping of Streptococcus pneumoniae by Latex Agglutination

Published on: September 25, 2014

Pneumococci: drug susceptibilities and preliminary epidemiological studies by penicillin binding protein genotyping

Somporn Srifeungfung1, Sutiwan Thammawart, Amorn Leelarasamee

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, 2 Prannok Rd, Bangkok 10700, Thailand. sissf@mahidol.ac.th

The Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health
|August 30, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSP) isolates show resistance to multiple antibiotics. However, specific gene patterns (RFLP) in PNSP may help understand resistance mechanisms in pneumococcal infections.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae causes significant morbidity and mortality globally.
  • Antibiotic resistance in S. pneumoniae is a growing public health concern.
  • Understanding resistance mechanisms is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate antibiotic susceptibility patterns of pneumococcal isolates.
  • To analyze the genetic basis of penicillin resistance in S. pneumoniae.
  • To identify potential molecular markers for penicillin resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Antibiotic susceptibility testing for 12 drugs against 307 pneumococcal isolates.
  • Classification of isolates into penicillin-susceptible (PSSP) and penicillin-nonsusceptible (PNSP) groups.
  • Analysis of the pbp2b gene using Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (RFLP) in selected isolates.

Main Results:

  • PNSP isolates exhibited resistance to most tested antibiotics, with exceptions including amoxicillin, ofloxacin, and ciprofloxacin.
  • Penicillin-susceptible S. pneumoniae (PSSP) isolates showed high susceptibility to most antibiotics.
  • Seven distinct pbp2b RFLP patterns were identified, with pattern 1 predominant in resistant isolates and pattern 2 exclusive to susceptible isolates.

Conclusions:

  • PNSP strains demonstrate significant multidrug resistance, necessitating careful antibiotic selection.
  • The pbp2b gene's RFLP patterns correlate with penicillin susceptibility, suggesting a role in resistance mechanisms.
  • Further research into the genetic determinants of pneumococcal antibiotic resistance is warranted.

More Related Videos

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage07:47

Experimental Human Pneumococcal Carriage

Published on: February 15, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Atypical Pneumonia01:14

Atypical Pneumonia

Atypical pneumonia, often caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, is a form of pulmonary infection that differs from the classical presentation of bacterial pneumonia in both its cause and clinical symptoms. Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pleomorphic bacterium notable for its lack of a rigid cell wall. This structural characteristic imparts resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics and significantly influences the bacterium’s behavior within the human host.Other pathogens responsible for the disease include...
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...
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...
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...
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...
Production of Antibiotics01:27

Production of Antibiotics

Penicillin, one of the earliest and most widely used antibiotics, is produced industrially by the filamentous fungus Penicillium chrysogenum. Large stirred-tank bioreactors ranging from tens to hundreds of thousands of liters maintain tightly controlled temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen conditions to support fungal metabolism and maximize antibiotic yield. Penicillin is a secondary metabolite, synthesized primarily during the stationary growth phase, which requires a carefully managed...