Distribution of mef(A)-containing genetic elements in erythromycin-resistant isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes from Italy.
In total, 124 Streptococcus pyogenes isolates were obtained from throat cultures of different symptomatic patients. All isolates showed M-phenotype macrolide resistance and contained the macrolide efflux gene mef(A). The isolates were screened for the presence and insertion site of mef(A)-containing genetic elements. In 25.8% of the isolates, mef(A) was found to be carried by elements belonging to the Tn1207.3/Phi10394.4 family inserted in the comEC gene, while 74.2% contained chimeric elements with a different genetic structure and chromosomal location, probably associated with the recently described 60-kb tet(O)-mef(A) element.
D'Ercole
S
S
Department of Molecular Cellular and Animal Biology, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
Petrelli
D
D
Prenna
M
M
Zampaloni
C
C
Catania
M R
MR
Ripa
S
S
Vitali
L A
LA
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D004917:Erythromycin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C103179:ComE protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae; D004251:DNA Transposable Elements; C117866:MefA protein, Streptococcus; D008565:Membrane Proteins; C423628:competence factor, Streptococcus; D004917:Erythromycin