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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Fei Gao, Dr Yang Long, Dr Chien-Yi ChangORCiD
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0).
© 2018 Gao et al.Background: A multidrug-resistant (MDR) RR2 gene cluster was identified by whole-genome sequencing in several highly virulent (ST-17) Group B streptococcus (GBS) isolates, which caused neonatal invasive infections in southern China in 2016. Tracing the transmission and distribution of MDR isolates in this area is important for the effective management of future infections. The aim of this study was to obtain longitudinal data of MDR isolates to monitor epidemiological trends of general common isolates in southern China, and provide evidence for future characterization of antimicrobial resistance mechanisms. Methods: Clinical information and antimicrobial susceptibility of GBS isolates were acquired from electronic information management system databases of the hospital under study between January 2011 and December 2017. To confirm the presence of intact RR2, the tetO, ant6, lnuB, and ant9 genes located upstream, midstream, and downstream of RR2 were detected by PCR and DNA sequencing. Results: A total of 149 cases of neonatal invasive GBS infection were identified during the period 2011–2017. Among them, 119 cases (79.9%) were caused by MDR isolates, with a general increasing trend over the past 7 years. Further characterization of 11 isolates showed that six isolates causing late-onset disease (LOD) carry the tetO, ant6, and lnuB genes, which are located on RR2. Moreover, lnuB and ant9 consistently co-occurred in GBS isolates, which suggests their close proximity to one another in the RR2 gene cluster. Conclusion: The MDR GBS is responsible for a large number of neonatal invasive infections and occurs with increasing frequency over time. Particularly, the MDR GBS isolates that cause LOD are more likely to carry the RR2 gene cluster, compared with those that cause early-onset disease. The rise in number of MDR GBS isolates emphasizes the pressing need for continuous surveillance to monitor their antibiotic susceptibility and epidemiology.
Author(s): Gao K, Guan X, Zeng L, Qian J, Zhu S, Deng Q, Zhong H, Pang S, Gao F, Wang J, Long Y, Chang C-Y, Liu H
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Infection and Drug Resistance
Year: 2018
Volume: 11
Pages: 2561-2569
Print publication date: 10/12/2018
Online publication date: 10/12/2018
Acceptance date: 19/10/2018
Date deposited: 25/02/2020
ISSN (electronic): 1178-6973
Publisher: Dove Medical Press Ltd.
URL: https://doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S178717
DOI: 10.2147/IDR.S178717
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