Phenotypic and molecular characterization of optochin-resistant Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from Brazil, with description of five novel mutations in the ATPC gene.

ABSTRACT: Optochin (Opt) susceptibility is used largely for the identification of Streptococcus pneumoniae in diagnostic laboratories. Opt-resistant (Opt(r)) S. pneumoniae isolates have been reported, however, indicating the potential for misidentification of this important pathogen. Point mutations in the atpC gene have been associated with the emergence of Opt(r) S. pneumoniae, but data on the characterization of such atypical variants of S. pneumoniae are still limited. The present report describes the results of a polyphasic approach to identifying and characterizing 26 Opt(r) S. pneumoniae isolates recovered from patients or carriers living in Brazil. Sixteen isolates consisted of heterogeneous populations, and 10 isolates were homogeneously Opt(r). The isolates had different serotypes and anti

SUBMITTER: Pinto TC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3811620 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature