Macrolide resistance can be transferred by conjugation from viridans streptococci to Streptococcus pyogenes.
Efflux pumps encoded by mef genes are among the most common mechanisms of resistance to macrolides. These genes are often located on horizontally transferable elements such as transposons. We present data indicating conjugative transfer of the mef(E) gene from viridans streptococci to the pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. The mef(E) gene is located on the previously described MEGA (macrolide efflux genetic assembly) element. Of 110 isolates tested, 85% of those that carried the mef(A/E) gene carried it on MEGA, and in all cases of conjugal transfer of the mef(E) gene it was carried on MEGA. It therefore appears reasonable to draw the conclusion that this element is important in the lateral transfer of macrolide resistance between streptococci.
Jönsson
Maria
M
Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Uppsala University Biomedical Centre, Box 582, SE-751 23 Uppsala, Sweden.
Swedberg
Göte
G
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003227:Conjugation, Genetic; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics*; D022761:Gene Transfer, Horizontal; D006801:Humans; D018942:Macrolides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D034361:Streptococcus mitis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D013297:Streptococcus pyogenes / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D034363:Viridans Streptococci / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D018942:Macrolides; C431304:MefE protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae; D008565:Membrane Proteins