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Molecular epidemiologic characteristics of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from children with meningitis in Japan

Fuminori Sakai1, Naoko Chiba, Akiko Ono

  • 1Laboratories of Infectious Diseases, Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, 5-9-1 Shirokane, Minato-ku, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan.

Journal of Infection and Chemotherapy : Official Journal of the Japan Society of Chemotherapy
|December 17, 2010
PubMed

Insights

This study links Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes to genetic types and penicillin resistance in pediatric meningitis cases in Japan. Findings reveal diverse genetic elements and resistance patterns, suggesting rapid evolution under antibiotic pressure.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis in children.
  • Understanding the genetic diversity and antibiotic resistance profiles of pneumococcal isolates is crucial for effective treatment and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between serotypes, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) data, and penicillin resistance genotypes in Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from children with meningitis in Japan.
  • To characterize the genetic diversity and resistance patterns of pneumococcal meningitis pathogens.

Main Methods:

  • Collected 115 pneumococcal isolates from cerebrospinal fluid of pediatric patients in Japan (2007-2009).
  • Performed serotyping, MLST for 7 housekeeping genes, and genotypic classification for penicillin resistance based on penicillin-binding protein (PBP) alterations.
  • Analyzed associations between serotypes, sequence types (STs), and resistance genotypes.

Main Results:

  • Identified 24 serotypes and 52 STs, with 18 novel STs.
  • Predominant serotypes (6B, 19F, 23F, 14) exhibited varying degrees of ST diversity.
  • Penicillin resistance genotypes varied, with 44.3% classified as genotypically penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae (gPRSP). Serotype 6B showed high diversity in STs and resistance genotypes.

Conclusions:

  • Pneumococcal isolates from pediatric meningitis cases in Japan display significant genetic diversity in both serotype and MLST profiles.
  • The emergence of diverse genetic elements and resistance patterns suggests rapid evolution driven by selection pressures, such as antibiotic overuse.
  • These findings highlight the dynamic nature of Streptococcus pneumoniae and the need for ongoing surveillance.

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