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Author Spotlight: Advancing Antibiotic Resistance Research Using an Efflux-Deficient Bacterial Strain and a Single-Copy Gene Expression System
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Published on: January 5, 2024

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An lnu(A)-Carrying Multi-Resistance Plasmid Derived from Sequence Type 3 Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus

Shih-Cheng Chang1,2, Lee-Chung Lin1, Jang-Jih Lu1,2,3

  • 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospitalgrid.413801.f, Taoyuan, Taiwan.

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy
|July 25, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus lugdunensis (MRSL) sequence type 3 strains harbor novel plasmids carrying multiple antibiotic resistance genes. These findings highlight a potential mechanism for the spread of antimicrobial resistance in healthcare settings.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genetics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus lugdunensis (MRSL) is an emerging pathogen associated with healthcare-associated infections.
  • Sequence type (ST) 3 MRSL, particularly those carrying SCCmec types IV, V, or Vt, represents a significant lineage driving these infections.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the distribution and dissemination of antimicrobial resistance determinants within the ST3 MRSL lineage.
  • To characterize the genetic elements, specifically plasmids, responsible for antibiotic resistance in ST3 MRSL.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing of two representative ST3 MRSL strains (CGMH-SL131 and CGMH-SL138).
  • Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and standard microbiological methods to detect antibiotic resistance genes and assess susceptibility patterns in 30 ST3 MRSL and 16 ST6 MRSL strains.

Main Results:

  • Two distinct plasmids were identified: pCGMH_SL138 (28.6 kb) carrying lnu(A) and pCGMH_SL131 (26 kb) carrying non-lnu(A) resistance genes.
  • Both plasmids contained IS257 elements and genes for aminoglycoside, TET, cadmium resistance, and chlorhexidine tolerance.
  • A novel lnu(A)-carrying plasmid, pCGMH_SL138, was identified in 66.7% of ST3 MRSL isolates, conferring resistance to lincomycin and other antibiotics, but not ermA, unlike ST6 MRSL.

Conclusions:

  • A novel lnu(A)-carrying plasmid, pCGMH_SL138, harboring a multiresistance gene cluster, was identified in ST3 MRSL strains.
  • This plasmid may play a crucial role in the dissemination of antibiotic resistance among staphylococci.
  • Understanding these resistance mechanisms is vital for controlling MRSL infections in healthcare environments.
Keywords:
ST3lnu(A)methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus lugdunensismultiresistance gene clusterplasmid

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