Related Experiment Videos
Molecular typing of multiresistant Streptococcus pneumoniae serogroup 19 in Singapore
Abstract:
The prevalence of penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae in clinical isolates from the Pathology Department of the Singapore General Hospital, in 1995, was 25%. Most of the resistant isolates belonged to serogroup 19 and were resistant to multiple antibiotics. Field-inversion gel electrophoresis (FIGE), after chromosomal digestion with the restriction enzymes Apal and Smal, was performed on all isolates of multiresistant serogroup 19 S. pneumoniae so as to determine whether they were of clonal origin. Twenty-six isolates, including six controls, were studied. Analysis of the FIGE patterns revealed three distinct clusters of closely related strains. The predominant clone comprised ten isolates of multiresistant serogroup 19 S. pneumoniae and also included two controls of a different serogroup. The presence of multiresistant serogroup 19 S. pneumoniae in Singapore, appears to be due to the spread of a small number of clones.
Insights
Penicillin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae, particularly multidrug-resistant strains, were prevalent in Singapore. Field-inversion gel electrophoresis (FIGE) identified that these resistant bacteria spread through a limited number of dominant clones.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Penicillin resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae is a growing public health concern.
- In 1995, 25% of clinical Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates at Singapore General Hospital were penicillin-resistant.
- Multidrug-resistant strains, especially from serogroup 19, were frequently identified.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clonal origin of multidrug-resistant serogroup 19 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates.
- To determine the genetic relatedness of these resistant strains using molecular typing.
Main Methods:
- Field-inversion gel electrophoresis (FIGE) was employed for molecular analysis.
- Chromosomal DNA was digested using restriction enzymes Apal and Smal.
- Twenty-six isolates, including controls, underwent FIGE analysis.
Main Results:
- FIGE analysis revealed three distinct clusters of closely related strains.
- A predominant clone, comprising ten multidrug-resistant serogroup 19 isolates, was identified.
- This predominant clone also included two control isolates from a different serogroup, suggesting potential cross-contamination or broader dissemination.
Conclusions:
- The spread of multidrug-resistant serogroup 19 Streptococcus pneumoniae in Singapore is attributed to the dissemination of a small number of successful clones.
- Molecular typing techniques like FIGE are crucial for understanding bacterial epidemiology and transmission dynamics.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring antibiotic resistance patterns and clonal spread in clinical settings.