Conjugative transfer frequencies of mef(A)‐containing Tn1207.3 to macrolide‐susceptible Streptococcus pyogenes belonging to different emm types. (24th January 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hadjirin, N.F.; Harrison, E.M.; Holmes, M.A.; Paterson, G.K.
• Is Part Of: Letters in applied microbiology. Volume 58:Number 4(2014:Apr.)
• Page Start: 299
• Page End: 302
• Publication Date: 2014-01-24
• Subjects: Microbiology -- Periodicals; 660.62
• DOI: 10.1111/lam.12213
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-8254

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="lam12213-abs-0001"> <title>Abstract</title> <sec id="lam12213-sec-1001" sec-type="section"> <p>The aim of this study was to examine the gene transfer potential of <italic>mef</italic>(A)‐containing Tn<italic>120.3</italic> to macrolide‐susceptible <italic>Streptococcus pyogenes</italic> belonging to different <italic>emm</italic> types. Using the filter mating technique, Tn<italic>1207.3</italic> was transferred by conjugation to 23 macrolide‐susceptible recipients representing 11 <italic>emm</italic> types. PCR analysis confirmed the presence of the <italic>mef</italic>(A) gene and the <italic>comEC</italic> junction regions of the Tn<italic>1207.3</italic> insertion in resultant transconjugants. Significant variation was found in the transfer frequency of Tn<italic>1207</italic>.<italic>3</italic> to different <italic>Strep</italic>. <italic>pyogenes</italic> strains, and this phenomenon may contribute to the differences in <italic>mef</italic>(A) frequency observed among clinical isolates.</p> </sec> <sec id="lam12213-sec-1002" sec-type="section"> <title>Significance and Impact of the Study</title> <p>The spread of antimicrobial resistance among pathogenic bacteria is an important problem, but the mechanisms of horizontal transfer between strains and species are often poorly understood. For instance, little is known on how macrolide resistance spreads between strains of the human pathogen <italic>Strep. pyogenes</italic> and why certain strains more commonly display resistance than others. Here, we show that <italic>Strep</italic>. <italic>pyogenes</italic> strains vary greatly in their ability to acquire a transposon encoding macrolide resistance by horizontal gene transfer <italic>in vitro</italic>. These data provide a novel insight into the transfer of antibiotic resistance between bacterial strains and offer an explanation for the differences in the frequency of resistance determinates and resistance seen among clinical isolates.</p> </sec> </abstract>