Molecular epidemiology and distribution of serotypes, genotypes, and antibiotic resistance genes of Streptococcus agalactiae clinical isolates from Guelma, Algeria and Marseille, France

Abstract

This study describes, for the first time, the genetic and phenotypic diversity among 93 Streptococcus agalactiae (group B Streptococcus, GBS) isolates collected from Guelma, Algeria and Marseille, France. All strains were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The molecular support of antibiotic resistance and serotyping were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The phylogenetic lineage of each GBS isolate was determined by multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and grouped into clonal complexes (CCs) using eBURST. The isolates represented 37 sequence types (STs), 16 of which were novel, grouped into five CCs, and belonging to seven serotypes. Serotype V was the most prevalent serotype in our collection (44.1%). GBS isolates of each serotype were distributed among multiple CCs, including cps III/CC19, cps V/CC1, cps Ia/CC23, cps II/CC10, and cps III/CC17. All isolates presented susceptibility to penicillin, whereas resistance to erythromycin was detected in 40% and tetracycline in 82.2% of isolates. Of the 37 erythromycin-resistant isolates, 75.7% showed the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B (MLSB)-resistant phenotype and 24.3% exhibited the macrolide (M)-resistant phenotype. Constitutive MLSB resistance (46%) mediated by the ermB gene was significantly associated with the Guelma isolates, whereas the M resistance phenotype (24.3%) mediated by the mefA/E gene dominated among the Marseille isolates and belonged to ST-23. Tetracycline resistance was predominantly due to tetM, which was detected alone (95.1%) or associated with tetO (3.7%). These results provide epidemiological data in these regions that establish a basis for monitoring increased resistance to erythromycin and also provide insight into correlations among clones, serotypes, and resistance genes.

Emergence of the L phenotype in Group B Streptococci in the South of Ireland

“…This reaffirms the appropriateness of penicillin as the antibiotic of choice for first line IAP and for the treatment of GBS infections. The incidence of erythromycin resistance found (21•3%) is similar to previous studies conducted in Ireland (18•6%), Poland (18•4%) and Italy (20%) [5,27,28], but lower than rates in France (34•7%) and Taiwan (46%) [29,30]. Interestingly the rate of clindamycin resistance in the current study indicates that resistance has increased in the Irish population from 15•25% [5] to 20•4% and is higher than reports from other countries, including Poland and Africa [27,31].…”

Molecular epidemiology and mechanisms of antibiotic resistance inEnterococcusspp.,Staphylococcusspp., andStreptococcusspp. in Africa: a systematic review from a One Health perspective

“…A single study has so far detected 44 TET (100%, 44/44)‐ and ERY‐resistant (43.18%, 19/44) S. agalactiae from vaginal swabs; tet (M) and erm (B), respectively, mediated resistance. A high diversity of resistant clones, namely, ST1, ST19, ST10, ST158, ST166, ST233, ST460, ST521, and ST677, were detected, which have been reported worldwide for causing life‐threatening invasive diseases, such as meningitis and sepsis …”

Antimicrobial resistance and molecular characterization of Streptococcus agalactiae from pregnant women in southern China

“…However, the resistance rates of erythromycin and clindamycin were 46.15% (42/91) and 29.67% (27/91), respectively. In comparison, the resistance rates of erythromycin and clindamycin in Chaoshan metropolitan area were lower than those in Beijing (85.7% and 73.2%, respectively) [14] and Shanghai (69.0% and 50.6%) [27], similar to France (46.0% and 37.8%) [28], but much higher than those in India (14.3% and 0.0%) [29] and Brazil (4.1% and 3.0%) [30]. Based on the observation in the high resistance to erythromycin in our study, we proposed that erythromycin should not be a priority antibiotic choice for intrapartum GBS chemoprophylaxis.…”