ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to report the dissemination of
cfr and fexA genes mediated by
linezolid resistance among Staphylococcus species.MethodsThree methicillin-resistant staphylococci that were collected from a teaching
hospital in Beijing were identified as linezolid-resistant. These three
staphylococci were Staphylococcus aureus, S.
haemolyticus, and S. cohnii. Mutations in
domain V of 23S ribosomal RNA, ribosomal proteins, and the cfr,
fexA, and optrA genes were analysed.ResultsThe three isolates had no mutations of 23S ribosomal RNA, but showed
mutations in the cfr and fexA genes.
Mutations in the gene for ribosomal protein L3, which resulted in the amino
acid exchanges Gly108Glu, Ser158Phe, and Asp159Tyr, were identified in
S. cohnii X4535.ConclusionsThis is the first report of the cfr gene in clinical
linezolid-resistant methicillin-resistant S. aureus
isolated from Beijing. L3 mutations coupled with the cfr
and fexA genes may act synergistically. Potential
transmissibility of this agent, even without prior exposure to linezolid,
may have serious epidemiological repercussions.