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Published on: February 22, 2019
Macrolide susceptibility and molecular characteristics of Bordetella pertussis
Juansheng Zhang1, Diqiang Zhang2, Xiaoqiang Wang1
1Microbiology laboratory, Xi'an Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, China.
Objective:
To analyse macrolide resistance and molecular characteristics of Bordetella pertussis clinical isolates from western China, and to explore the relationship between macrolide-resistance and genotypes.
Methods:
Susceptibilities of B. pertussis clinical isolates to erythromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin were determined by epsilometer test (E-test). Isolated strains were sequenced to ascertain the presence of the 23S rRNA gene A2047G mutation. Strains were typed using multilocus antigen sequence typing, multilocus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA) and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE).
Results:
Of 58 B. pertussis strains isolated in this study, 46 were macrolide-resistant and 12 were macrolide sensitive. All macrolide-resistant strains carried the A2047G mutation and were the prn1/ptxP1/ptxA1/fim3-1/fim2-1 genotype; the MLVA types were MT195 (19/58), MT55 (13/58) and MT104 (14/58), and the PFGE profiles were classified into BpSR23 (17/58) and BpFINR9 (29/58) types. None of the macrolide-sensitive strains carried the A2047G mutation; genotypes were (prn9 or prn2)/ptxP3/ptxA1/fim3-1/fim2-1, and all were MT27. PFGE profiles differed from the macrolide-resistant strains.
Conclusions:
B. pertussis clinical isolates from western China were severely resistant to macrolides. Genotypes differed between macrolide-resistant and macrolide-sensitive strains, and there may be a correlation between acquisition of macrolide resistance and changes in specific molecular types.
Insights
Macrolide resistance is prevalent in Bordetella pertussis clinical isolates from western China. Specific molecular types correlate with macrolide resistance, suggesting potential links between genotype and antibiotic susceptibility.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Genetics
Background:
- Whooping cough (pertussis) is a significant public health concern.
- Macrolide antibiotics are a primary treatment for pertussis.
- Emerging antibiotic resistance threatens treatment efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate macrolide resistance in Bordetella pertussis clinical isolates from western China.
- To characterize the molecular features of these isolates.
- To explore the association between macrolide resistance and specific genotypes.
Main Methods:
- E-test was used to determine macrolide susceptibility (erythromycin, azithromycin, clarithromycin).
- Sequencing identified the 23S rRNA gene A2047G mutation.
- Multilocus antigen sequence typing, MLVA, and PFGE were employed for strain typing.
Main Results:
- 46 out of 58 Bordetella pertussis strains exhibited macrolide resistance.
- All resistant strains possessed the A2047G mutation and a specific genotype (prn1/ptxP1/ptxA1/fim3-1/fim2-1).
- Macrolide-sensitive strains lacked the mutation and displayed distinct genotypes and MLVA types.
Conclusions:
- Bordetella pertussis isolates in western China show high levels of macrolide resistance.
- Distinct molecular genotypes differentiate macrolide-resistant and sensitive strains.
- A correlation may exist between macrolide resistance acquisition and specific molecular types.
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