Genomic Insight into the Spread of Meropenem-Resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae Spain23F-ST81, Taiwan

Yi Yin Chen, Yu Chia Hsieh*, Yu Nong Gong, Wei Chao Liao, Shiao Wen Li, Ian Yi Feng Chang, Tzu Lung Lin, Ching Tai Huang, Cheng Hsiu Chiu, Tsu Lan Wu, Lin Hui Su, Ting Hsuan Li, Ya Yu Huang

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease caused by antimicrobial-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae types not included in pneumococcal conjugate vaccines has increased, including a penicillin- and meropenem-resistant serotype 15A-ST63 clone in Japan. During 2013–2017, we collected 206 invasive pneumococcal isolates in Taiwan for penicillin and meropenem susceptibility testing. We found serotypes 15B/C-ST83 and 15A-ST63 were the most prevalent penicillin- and meropenem-resistant clones. A transformation study confirmed that penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 2b was the primary meropenem resistance determinant, and PBP1a was essential for high-level resistance. The rate of serotype 15B/C-ST83 increased during the study. All 15B/C-ST83 isolates showed an ermB macrolide resistance genotype. Prediction analysis of recombination sites revealed 12 recombination regions in 15B/C-ST83 compared with the S. pneumoniae Spain23F-ST81 genome. Pneumococcal clones rapidly recombine to acquire survival advantages and undergo local expansion under the selective pressure exerted by vaccines and antimicrobial drugs. The spread of 15B/C-ST83 is alarming for countries with high antimicrobial pressure.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)711-720
Number of pages10
JournalEmerging Infectious Diseases
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - 04 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). All rights reserved.

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