title: Mobile rRNA methylase genes coding for erythromycin resistance in Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans.
abstract: We found that 17 (68%) of 25 Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans isolated from periodontally diseased sites had MICs of erythromycin > or = 8 mg/L. The isolates were hybridized with five rRNA methylase genes and gene mobility was determined. Twenty-four (96%) of 25 isolates hybridized with one or more rRNA methylase genes. Representative isolates were able to transfer erythromycin resistance to Haemophilus influenzae and Enterococcus faecalis recipients. The transconjugants were shown to carry rRNA methylase genes by DNA probe hybridization and had MICs of erythromycin 32 to 256 mg/L.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathobiology, University of Washington, Seattle 98195, USA.
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Roe
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weinberg
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Roberts
mesh_terms: D016976:Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015139:Blotting, Southern; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors; D004917:Erythromycin; D008780:Methyltransferases; C035181:rRNA (adenosine-O-2'-)methyltransferase