title: Macrolide resistance in Belgian Streptococcus pneumoniae.
abstract: The genetic basis of macrolide resistance was characterized in 59 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates. All isolates were collected in 1995 and 1997 and were from invasive infections. The majority of the isolates (54 of 59 isolates) were erythromycin and clindamycin resistant (MLS(B)-phenotype) and carried the ermAM gene. Five isolates were erythromycin resistant but clindamycin susceptible (M-phenotype). Using PCR the mefE gene was detected in these five isolates. Contrary to the situation found in Canada and the USA, mefE-mediated erythromycin resistance in S. pneumoniae is uncommon in Belgium.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, K.U. Leuven, Belgium. katrien.lagrou@rega.kuleuven.ac.be
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lagrou
authors.forename: W E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Peetermans
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verhaegen
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Van Lierde
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Verbist
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Eldere
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001530:Belgium; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial / Q000235:genetics; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics*; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D013296:Streptococcus pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004917:Erythromycin; D008780:Methyltransferases; C035181:rRNA (adenosine-O-2'-)methyltransferase