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Expansion and evolution of the Streptococcus pneumoniae Spain9V-ST156 clonal complex in Poland

Ewa Sadowy1, Alicja Kuch, Marek Gniadkowski

  • 1Department of Molecular Microbiology, National Medicines Institute, Warsaw, Poland. ewasadowy@cls.edu.pl

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|March 3, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSP) in Poland are mainly driven by the rapidly evolving Spain(9V)-ST156 clone. This international multiresistant clone is linked to invasive infections and decreasing penicillin susceptibility.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae (PNSP) pose a significant public health threat.
  • Understanding the genetic makeup and clonal spread of PNSP is crucial for effective treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the characteristics of PNSP isolates in Poland between 2003-2005.
  • To identify the prevalent clones and their contribution to penicillin resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 118 PNSP isolates from patients with respiratory and invasive infections.
  • Serotyping, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and analysis of specific genes (murM, pbp, pspA) and genetic elements (rlrA islet).
  • Multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat (MLVA) analysis was used to assess clonal evolution.

Main Results:

  • Seven serotypes and 31 multilocus sequence types (STs) were identified.
  • 90.7% of isolates belonged to international multiresistant clones, with Spain(9V)-ST156 being the most prevalent (56 isolates).
  • The Spain(9V)-ST156 clone showed rapid evolution and was overrepresented in invasive infections, contributing significantly to decreased penicillin susceptibility.

Conclusions:

  • The Spain(9V)-ST156 clonal complex is the primary driver of increasing penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae in Poland.
  • Despite moderate antimicrobial use, this clone's rapid evolution and prevalence underscore the need for ongoing surveillance and control measures.

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