Abstract
In total, 124 Streptococcus pyogenes isolates were obtained from throat cultures of different symptomatic patients. All isolates showed M-phenotype macrolide resistance and contained the macrolide efflux gene mef(A). The isolates were screened for the presence and insertion site of mef(A)-containing genetic elements. In 25.8% of the isolates, mef(A) was found to be carried by elements belonging to the Tn1207.3/Phi10394.4 family inserted in the comEC gene, while 74.2% contained chimeric elements with a different genetic structure and chromosomal location, probably associated with the recently described 60-kb tet(O)-mef(A) element.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
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Chromosomes, Bacterial / genetics
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DNA Transposable Elements
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Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics*
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Erythromycin / pharmacology*
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Humans
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Italy
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Membrane Proteins / genetics*
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Pharynx / microbiology
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Streptococcal Infections / microbiology*
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Streptococcus pyogenes / drug effects*
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Streptococcus pyogenes / genetics*
Substances
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Anti-Bacterial Agents
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Bacterial Proteins
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ComE protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae
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DNA Transposable Elements
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MefA protein, Streptococcus
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Membrane Proteins
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competence factor, Streptococcus
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Erythromycin