title: The genetic diversity and phenotypic characterisation of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
abstract: Streptococcus agalactiae isolates are more common among pregnant women, neonates and nonpregnant adults with underlying diseases compared to other demographic groups. In this study, we evaluate the genetic and phenotypic diversity in S. agalactiae strains from Rio de Janeiro (RJ) that were isolated from asymptomatic carriers. We analysed these S. agalactiae strains using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), serotyping and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, as well as by determining the macrolide resistance phenotype, and detecting the presence of the ermA/B, mefA/E and lnuB genes. The serotypes Ia, II, III and V were the most prevalent serotypes observed. The 60 strains analysed were susceptible to penicillin, vancomycin and levofloxacin. Resistance to clindamycin, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, rifampin and tetracycline was observed. Among the erythromycin and/or clindamycin resistant strains, the ermA, ermB and mefA/E genes were detected and the constitutive macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin B-type resistance was the most prevalent phenotype observed. The lnuB gene was not detected in any of the strains studied. We found 56 PFGE electrophoretic profiles and only 22 of them were allocated in polymorphism patterns. This work presents data on the genetic diversity and prevalent capsular serotypes among RJ isolates. Approximately 85% of these strains came from pregnant women; therefore, these data may be helpful in developing future prophylaxis and treatment strategies for neonatal syndromes in RJ.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiologia Médica, Instituto de Microbiologia Professor Paulo de Góes, Centro de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Av. Carlos Chagas Filho 372, 21941-590 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brasil. beatrizcorrea@gmail.com
authors.forename: Ana Beatriz de Almeida
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Corrêa
authors.forename: Lígia Guedes da
authors.initials: LG
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: Tatiana de Castro Abreu
authors.initials: Tde C
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Ivi Cristina Menezes de
authors.initials: IC
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Flávio Gimenis
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Fernandes
authors.forename: Natalia Silva da
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Costa
authors.forename: Marcos Corrêa de
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Mattos
authors.forename: Sergio Eduardo Longo
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Fracalanzza
authors.forename: Leslie Claude
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Benchetrit
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002353:Carrier State; D016521:Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation / Q000235:genetics*; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D008780:Methyltransferases / Q000235:genetics; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D012703:Serotyping; D013292:Streptococcus agalactiae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C117866:MefA protein, Streptococcus; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D008780:Methyltransferases; C431709:ErmA protein, Bacteria