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Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
10:39

Methodology for the Study of Horizontal Gene Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus

Published on: March 10, 2017

Macrolide resistance can be transferred by conjugation from viridans streptococci to Streptococcus pyogenes

Maria Jönsson1, Göte Swedberg

  • 1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University Biomedical Centre, Box 582, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.

International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents
|July 18, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Macrolide resistance in bacteria is often due to efflux pumps. The mef(E) gene, found on the MEGA element, can transfer between streptococci, contributing to the spread of macrolide resistance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Macrolide antibiotics are crucial for treating bacterial infections.
  • Efflux pumps, encoded by mef genes, are a primary mechanism of macrolide resistance.
  • These resistance genes are frequently located on mobile genetic elements, facilitating their spread.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the conjugative transfer of the mef(E) gene between streptococcal species.
  • To determine the role of the MEGA (macrolide efflux genetic assembly) element in the dissemination of macrolide resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Conjugative transfer experiments were performed.
  • Bacterial isolates carrying the mef(E) gene were analyzed.
  • The location of the mef(E) gene on genetic elements was identified.

Main Results:

  • Conjugative transfer of the mef(E) gene from viridans streptococci to Streptococcus pyogenes was demonstrated.
  • The mef(E) gene was predominantly found on the MEGA element in tested isolates (85%).
  • All observed conjugal transfers of mef(E) involved the MEGA element.

Conclusions:

  • The MEGA element plays a significant role in the horizontal transfer of macrolide resistance genes between streptococci.
  • Understanding these transfer mechanisms is crucial for combating antibiotic resistance.

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