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Published on: December 28, 2017
Clonal multidrug-resistant Corynebacterium striatum strains, Italy
Floriana Campanile1, Edoardo Carretto, Daniela Barbarini
1Department of Microbiology, University of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Emerging Infectious Diseases
|January 1, 2009
Summary
Multidrug-resistant Corynebacterium striatum strains were analyzed, revealing a dominant clone carrying specific resistance genes. This finding highlights the emergence of this bacterium as a significant pathogen in Italy.
Area of Science:
- Clinical microbiology
- Molecular epidemiology
- Antimicrobial resistance
Background:
- Corynebacterium striatum is increasingly recognized for its potential to cause infections.
- Multidrug resistance (MDR) in bacterial pathogens poses a significant global health challenge.
- Understanding the genetic basis and clonal spread of MDR strains is crucial for effective treatment and control.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical relevance and molecular characteristics of multidrug-resistant Corynebacterium striatum.
- To identify the specific antimicrobial resistance genes present in these strains.
- To determine the clonal relatedness and epidemiological patterns of the isolated strains in Italy.
Main Methods:
- Phenotypic characterization of 36 multidrug-resistant Corynebacterium striatum isolates.
- Molecular analysis including pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) for clonal typing.
- Detection of specific antimicrobial resistance genes (erm(X), tetA/B, cmxA/B, aphA1) using molecular techniques.
Main Results:
- Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis revealed a predominant single clone among the 36 MDR Corynebacterium striatum strains, with limited related subclones.
- The common clone harbored a specific set of antimicrobial resistance genes: erm(X), tetA/B, cmxA/B, and aphA1.
- The findings suggest a clonal expansion of this specific MDR strain in Italy.
Conclusions:
- A single, highly successful clone of multidrug-resistant Corynebacterium striatum is emerging as a significant pathogen in Italy.
- The presence of erm(X), tetA/B, cmxA/B, and aphA1 genes contributes to the multidrug resistance phenotype of this emerging clone.
- Continued surveillance and molecular characterization are essential to monitor the spread and clinical impact of this opportunistic pathogen.
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