title: Distribution of mef(A)-containing genetic elements in erythromycin-resistant isolates of Streptococcus pyogenes from Italy.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Cellular and Animal Biology, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: D'Ercole
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Petrelli
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Prenna
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zampaloni
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Catania
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ripa
authors.forename: L A
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Vitali
mesh_terms: 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*
chemical_list: 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