Genetic characterization and diversity of Streptococcus agalactiae isolates with macrolide resistance

Abstract

Macrolide resistance in 169Streptococcus agalactiae[group B streptococcus (GBS)] isolates originating from pregnant carriers was investigated. Using multiplex PCR the presence of genes encoding erythromycin resistance and capsular polysaccharides, as well as surface proteins, was determined. Random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD) and PFGE were used to characterize specific clones among the isolates. In the examined population of women, erythromycin-resistant strains were found in 4.5 % of patients, whereas clindamycin-resistant strains were found in 3 % of patients, which was 16 % of strains resistant to erythromycin and 10 % of strains resistant to clindamycin among GBS isolates, respectively. Among the isolates, the largest percentage was represented by the constitutive macrolide–lincosamide–streptogramin B (cMLSB) phenotype (63 %), then the inductive macrolide–lincosamide–streptogramin B (iMLSB) phenotype (26 %) and the macrolide resistance (M) phenotype (11 %). TheermBgene was indicated in all isolates with the cMLSBphenotype and V serotype, whereasmefA/mefEgenes were found in isolates with the M phenotype and Ia serotype. Among resistance isolates, serotype V was predominant (67 %), followed by serotypes II (15 %), Ia (11 %) and III (7 %). The most common surface protein encoding genes werealp3(70 %), thenrib(11 %),epsilon(7.5 %),bca(7.5 %) andalp2(4 %). A statistically significant relationship between macrolide resistance, serotype V and thealp3gene was demonstrated. PFGE, in comparison to the RAPD method, gave better genetic discrimination of GBS isolates. A relatively high genetic diversity among investigated strains was shown. In addition, the largest genetic homogeneity was found in serotype V.