Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 11, 2025

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance
09:00

Testing the Role of Multicopy Plasmids in the Evolution of Antibiotic Resistance

Published on: May 2, 2018

12.1K

Evolution of Sequence Type 4821 Clonal Complex Hyperinvasive and Quinolone-Resistant Meningococci

Mingliang Chen, Odile B Harrison, Holly B Bratcher

    Emerging Infectious Diseases
    |March 23, 2021
    PubMed

    Insights

    The quinolone-resistant Neisseria meningitidis clone ChinaCC4821-R1-C/B has spread globally, shifting from serogroup A to C invasive meningococcal disease. This CC4821 clone poses a pandemic risk, though some vaccine protection may exist.

    Area of Science:

    • Microbiology
    • Genomics
    • Epidemiology

    Background:

    • Neisseria meningitidis clone ChinaCC4821-R1-C/B, belonging to sequence type (ST) 4821 clonal complex (CC4821), caused a serogroup shift in invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) in China.
    • This clone is characterized by quinolone resistance and a shift from serogroup A to C.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To investigate the global distribution and genetic relationships of CC4821 meningococci.
    • To understand the evolutionary dynamics and potential pandemic threat of this specific clone.

    Main Methods:

    • Whole-genome sequencing of 173 CC4821 Neisseria meningitidis isolates.
    • Phylogenetic analysis to cluster isolates into sublineages.
    • Analysis of antimicrobial resistance markers and serogroup-associated genes.

    Main Results:

    • CC4821 meningococci clustered into four distinct sublineages.
    • Sublineage 1 predominantly consisted of IMD isolates (82%).
    • A distinct Europe-USA cluster (sublineage 2) comprised 81.6% of non-China isolates, featuring the B:P1.17-6,23:F3-36:ST-3200 strain with penicillin-binding protein 2 mutations.

    Conclusions:

    • The quinolone-resistant Neisseria meningitidis clone ChinaCC4821-R1-C/B has expanded internationally.
    • The global spread of serogroup B CC4821 raises concerns about its pandemic potential.
    • While challenging to control, the Trumenba vaccine may offer some protection against this emerging threat.
    Keywords:
    ChinaNeisseria meningitidisST4821 clonal complexantimicrobial resistancebacteriagenomemeningitis/encephalitisphylogenetic analysisquinolone resistancerecombination

    More Related Videos

    Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing09:44

    Characterization of a Pathogenic Escherichia coli Strain Derived from Oreochromis spp. Farms Using Whole-Genome Sequencing

    Published on: December 23, 2022

    2.6K
    Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus09:03

    Multiplex PCR Assay for Typing of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome Mec Types I to V in Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

    Published on: September 5, 2013

    12.1K

    Related Concept Videos

    Modern Molecular Taxonomy01:29

    Modern Molecular Taxonomy

    Advancements in molecular biology have revolutionized the identification and characterization of bacteria, with multiple methods leveraging DNA sequencing for enhanced precision. As sequencing technologies improve and costs decline, these approaches are increasingly used in clinical, environmental, and evolutionary studies.Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) examines several housekeeping genes, essential chromosomal genes encoding cellular functions, to distinguish strains. Approximately...
    349
    Development of Antibiotic Resistance01:30

    Development of Antibiotic Resistance

    Antibiotic resistance is a major public health concern that arises when bacteria evolve mechanisms to withstand the effects of antibiotic treatments. This resistance can be intrinsic, acquired through genetic mutations, or transferred between bacteria via horizontal gene transfer. The development of antibiotic resistance poses significant challenges in treating bacterial infections and necessitates ongoing research to develop new therapeutic strategies.Intrinsic resistance occurs when bacterial...
    760
    Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing01:28

    Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing

    Quorum sensing is a mechanism of bacterial communication that enables coordinated gene expression in response to changes in population density. This facilitates collective behaviors that enhance survival, resource acquisition, and ecological adaptation. This process relies on small signaling molecules called autoinducers that accumulate as bacterial populations grow. When a critical threshold concentration of autoinducers is reached, bacterial cells collectively modify gene expression,...
    203
    Bacterial Phylum Chlamydiae01:29

    Bacterial Phylum Chlamydiae

    The phylum Chlamydiae or Chlamydiota is composed of a single order, Chlamydiales. This phylum consists entirely of obligate intracellular parasites that infect eukaryotic hosts. While human pathogens within this group have been studied extensively, the phylum encompasses many species capable of interacting with various eukaryotic organisms. Members of Chlamydiae are typically small cocci, approximately 0.5 μm in diameter, and exhibit a distinctive developmental cycle. As is characteristic...
    222