Rapid molecular detection of inducible macrolide resistance in Mycobacterium chelonae and M. abscessus strains: a replacement for 14-day susceptibility testing?

J Clin Microbiol. 2014 May;52(5):1705-7. doi: 10.1128/JCM.03464-13. Epub 2014 Feb 19.

Abstract

The erm(41) gene causes inducible macrolide resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus but not Mycobacterium chelonae. erm(41) sequencing of 285 M. abscessus and 45 M. chelonae isolates was compared to 14-day susceptibility; agreement percentages were 98.9% and 100%, respectively. Extended incubation may not be necessary for M. chelonae, and the erm(41) genotype is a useful adjunct for M. abscessus.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Clarithromycin / pharmacology
  • DNA, Bacterial / genetics
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Genes, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Macrolides / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests / methods
  • Mycobacterium / drug effects
  • Mycobacterium / genetics*
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / diagnosis*
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / drug therapy
  • Mycobacterium Infections, Nontuberculous / microbiology*
  • Mycobacterium chelonae / drug effects
  • Mycobacterium chelonae / genetics*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA / methods

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Macrolides
  • Clarithromycin