%0 Journal Article
%T Genotypes and serotype distribution of macrolide resistant invasive and non- invasive Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from Lebanon
%A Nedal Taha
%A George F Araj
%A Rima H Wakim
%A Souha S Kanj
%A Zeina A Kanafani
%A Ahmad Sabra
%A Marie-Therese Khairallah
%A Farah J Nassar
%A Marwa Shehab
%A Maysa Baroud
%A Ghassan Dbaibo
%A Ghassan M Matar
%J Annals of Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobials
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1476-0711-11-2
%X Forty four macrolide resistant and 21 macrolide susceptible S. pneumoniae clinical isolates were tested for antimicrobial susceptibility according to CLSI guidelines (2008) and underwent molecular characterization. Serotyping of these isolates was performed by Multiplex PCR-based serotype deduction using CDC protocols. PCR amplification of macrolide resistant erm (encoding methylase) and mef (encoding macrolide efflux pump protein) genes was carried out.Among 44 isolates resistant to erythromycin, 35 were resistant to penicillin and 18 to ceftriaxone. Examination of 44 macrolide resistant isolates by PCR showed that 16 isolates harbored the erm(B) gene, 8 isolates harbored the mef gene, and 14 isolates harbored both the erm(B) and mef genes. There was no amplification by PCR of the erm(B) or mef genes in 6 isolates. Seven different capsular serotypes 2, 9V/9A,12F, 14,19A, 19F, and 23, were detected by multiplex PCR serotype deduction in 35 of 44 macrolide resistant isolates, with 19F being the most prevalent serotype. With the exception of serotype 2, all serotypes were invasive. Isolates belonging to the invasive serotypes 14 and 19F harbored both erm(B) and mef genes. Nine of the 44 macrolide resistant isolates were non-serotypable by our protocols.Macrolide resistance in S. pneumoniae in Lebanon is mainly through target site modification but is also mediated through efflux pumps, with serotype 19F having dual resistance and being the most prevalent and invasive.Streptococcus pneumoniae continues to be a major cause of morbidity and mortality in humans. It is one of the most significant bacterial pathogens causing community acquired infections, most notably pneumonia, otitis media, bacteremia, and meningitis [1,2]. Treatment of pneumococcal infections is becoming difficult due to the high prevalence of penicillin-resistant strains and to the rapid development of resistance to other antimicrobials including macrolides. These drugs are extensively used for the treat
%K Antimicrobials
%K Macrolides
%K Resistance
%K Genes
%K Serotyping
%U http://www.ann-clinmicrob.com/content/11/1/2