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Understanding antimicrobial susceptibility profile of Finegoldia magna: an insight to an untrodden path
Seema Shetty1,2, Renuka Anegundi1, Padmaja Ananth Shenoy3,4
1Department of Microbiology, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
Background:
Finegoldia magna (formerly known as Peptococcus magnus or Peptostreptococcus magnus) belonging to phylum Firmicutes, class Clostridia and genus Finegoldia, is the only species known to cause infections in human beings. Amongst Gram positive anaerobic cocci, F. magna is known to be the most virulent with a high pathogenic potential. Significant upsurge in antimicrobial resistance among anaerobes has been documented by various studies. F. magna is known to be susceptible to most of the anti-anaerobic antimicrobials, however, multidrug resistant strains are being reported in literature. The present study was undertaken to highlight the role of F. magna in clinical infections and to analyze their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.
Methods:
The present study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Southern India. 42 clinical isolates of F. magna recovered from diverse clinical infections between January 2011 to December 2015 were studied. These isolates were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility testing against metronidazole, clindamycin, cefoxitin, penicillin, chloramphenicol and linezolid.
Results:
Among the 42 isolates studied, majority of them were revived from diabetic foot infections (31%) followed by necrotizing fasciitis (19%) and deep-seated abscesses (19%). All the F. magna isolates showed good in-vitro activity against metronidazole, cefoxitin, linezolid and chloramphenicol. Clindamycin and penicillin resistance were observed against 9.5% and 2.4% of the isolates respectively. However, β-lactamase activity was not detected.
Conclusion:
The antimicrobial resistance among anaerobes varies from pathogen to pathogen and region to region. Hence, a deep understanding of resistance pattern is necessary for better management of clinical infections.
Insights
Finegoldia magna infections are often linked to diabetic foot issues. While generally susceptible to common antibiotics, some resistance to clindamycin and penicillin was observed in this study.
Area of Science:
- Clinical microbiology and infectious diseases.
- Antimicrobial resistance patterns in anaerobic bacteria.
Background:
- Finegoldia magna, a virulent Gram-positive anaerobic coccus, is the sole species within its genus known to cause human infections.
- Increasing antimicrobial resistance among anaerobic bacteria necessitates ongoing surveillance and understanding of pathogen-specific susceptibility.
- F. magna typically remains susceptible to many anti-anaerobic agents, but emerging multidrug-resistant strains are a growing concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical significance and prevalence of F. magna in various infections.
- To determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles of F. magna isolates from a tertiary care hospital in Southern India.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 42 clinical isolates of F. magna collected between January 2011 and December 2015.
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed against metronidazole, clindamycin, cefoxitin, penicillin, chloramphenicol, and linezolid.
Main Results:
- The majority of F. magna isolates were recovered from diabetic foot infections (31%), necrotizing fasciitis (19%), and deep-seated abscesses (19%).
- All isolates demonstrated good in-vitro susceptibility to metronidazole, cefoxitin, linezolid, and chloramphenicol.
- Low levels of resistance were observed for clindamycin (9.5%) and penicillin (2.4%), with no detected beta-lactamase activity.
Conclusions:
- Antimicrobial resistance patterns in anaerobic bacteria are pathogen- and region-specific.
- Understanding local resistance trends for F. magna is crucial for effective clinical management of associated infections.
