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Neisseria meningitidis with decreased susceptibility to penicillin in Saskatchewan, Canada

J M Blondeau1, F E Ashton, M Isaacson

  • 1Department of Clinical Microbiology, St. Paul's Hospital, Saskatoon, Ottawa, Canada.

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|July 1, 1995
PubMed

Insights

Moderately penicillin-resistant Neisseria meningitidis (meningococcus) is emerging in Saskatchewan, Canada. This outbreak highlights the need for ongoing surveillance of antibiotic resistance in this pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Neisseria meningitidis is a leading cause of bacterial meningitis and sepsis.
  • Penicillin resistance in Neisseria meningitidis is uncommon in North America.
  • Serogroup C strains are a significant cause of invasive meningococcal disease.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate an outbreak of meningococcal disease in Saskatchewan, Canada.
  • To characterize the antimicrobial susceptibility and genetic relatedness of the causative Neisseria meningitidis isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used for genomic fingerprinting.
  • Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of penicillin were determined for clinical isolates.

Main Results:

  • An outbreak of serogroup C Neisseria meningitidis was identified in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.
  • All isolates exhibiting decreased penicillin susceptibility (MICs 0.12–0.25 µg/mL) shared identical genomic fingerprints.
  • These findings suggest a prevalent strain of moderately penicillin-resistant Neisseria meningitidis in the region.

Conclusions:

  • Moderately penicillin-resistant Neisseria meningitidis is circulating in Saskatchewan, Canada.
  • The identical genomic fingerprints indicate a common source or clonal spread of the resistant strain.
  • Enhanced surveillance for antibiotic resistance in Neisseria meningitidis is warranted in this region.

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