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Molecular basis and evolutionary cost of a novel macrolides/lincosamides resistance phenotype in Staphylococcus

Ruilin Xu1,2, Qiang Wang1, Shuhua Wu3,4

  • 1The State Key Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, School of Life, Nanjing University , Nanjing, Jiangsu, China.

Microbiology Spectrum
|September 19, 2023
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study reports a novel constitutive macrolides-lincosamides-streptogramins (MLS) resistance in Staphylococcus haemolyticus. This finding, linked to an ermC gene deletion, offers insights into antibiotic resistance mechanisms and clinical treatment guidance.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Staphylococcus haemolyticus is a significant cause of hospital-acquired infections.
  • This bacterium exhibits increasing resistance to macrolides and lincosamides due to extensive antibiotic use.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate a novel antibiotic resistance phenotype in Staphylococcus haemolyticus.
  • To elucidate the genetic and molecular basis of this resistance.
  • To understand the implications for clinical treatment and bacterial fitness.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of four Staphylococcus haemolyticus clinical isolates.
  • Phenotypic characterization of antibiotic resistance patterns.
  • Whole-genome sequencing to identify genetic mutations.
  • Experimental verification of the identified genetic mechanism.

Main Results:

  • A novel constitutive macrolides-lincosamides-streptogramins (MLS) resistance phenotype was identified in one S. haemolyticus isolate.
  • Whole-genome sequencing revealed a deletion in the ermC gene's upstream leader peptide, causing constitutive MLS resistance.
  • Continuous ermC expression resulted in a fitness cost for S. haemolyticus in the absence of antibiotic pressure.

Conclusions:

  • This is the first report of constitutive MLS resistance in Staphylococcus haemolyticus.
  • The findings enhance understanding of MLS resistance mechanisms in staphylococci.
  • The study highlights the potential fitness cost associated with constitutive resistance gene expression.
Keywords:
Staphylococcus haemolyticusconstitutive MLS resistanceermC genenovel antibiotic-resistance phenotype

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