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Genotypic characterization of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19F in Malaysia
Jayakayatri Jeevajothi Nathan1, Mohd Nasir Mohd Desa2, Kwai Lin Thong3
1Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
Abstract:
Streptococcus pneumoniae is an epidemiologically important bacterial pathogen. Recently, we reported the antibiotic susceptibility patterns of a limited collection of pneumococcal isolates in Malaysia with a high prevalence of erythromycin resistant strains. In the present study, 55 of the pneumococcal isolates of serotype 19F were further analysed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). The generated genotypic patterns were then correlated with the antibiograms previously reported. Forty-seven different PFGE profiles (PTs) were obtained, showing that the isolates were genetically diverse. MLST identified 16 sequence types (STs) with ST-236 being predominant (58.2%), followed by ST-81 (10.3%). Among the ST-236 isolates, 22 were erythromycin resistant S. pneumoniae (ERSP) and 15 were trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX) resistant, while among ST-81, four isolates were ERSP and two were TMP/SMX resistant. The high prevalence of erythromycin resistant serotype 19F isolates of ST-236 in this study has also been reported in other North and South East Asian countries.
Insights
This study analyzed 55 Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19F isolates in Malaysia. Predominant strains, particularly ST-236, showed high resistance to erythromycin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Genetics
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Streptococcus pneumoniae is a significant bacterial pathogen.
- Previous studies in Malaysia indicated a high prevalence of erythromycin-resistant pneumococcal strains.
- Serotype 19F is an important pneumococcal serotype with public health implications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To genetically characterize Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19F isolates from Malaysia.
- To correlate genotypic patterns with antibiotic resistance profiles.
- To identify predominant sequence types and their associated resistance.
Main Methods:
- Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to determine genetic diversity.
- Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) identified sequence types (STs).
- Genotypic data was correlated with previously reported antibiograms.
Main Results:
- Forty-seven distinct PFGE profiles indicated genetic diversity among the 55 isolates.
- Sixteen sequence types were identified, with ST-236 being predominant (58.2%).
- ST-236 isolates frequently exhibited resistance to erythromycin (22/55) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (15/55).
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the genetic diversity of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19F in Malaysia.
- The predominance of erythromycin-resistant ST-236 strains is a significant public health concern.
- Findings align with reports from other Asian countries, suggesting regional trends in antibiotic resistance.
