Variable recombination dynamics during the emergence, transmission and 'disarming' of a multidrug-resistant pneumococcal clone.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pneumococcal β-lactam resistance was first detected in Iceland in the late 1980s, and subsequently peaked at almost 25% of clinical isolates in the mid-1990s largely due to the spread of the internationally-disseminated multidrug-resistant PMEN2 (or Spain6B-2) clone of Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Results

Whole genome sequencing of an international collection of 189 isolates estimated that PMEN2 emerged around the late 1960s, developing resistance through multiple homologous recombinations and the acquisition of a Tn5253-type integrative and conjugative element (ICE). Two distinct clades entered Iceland in the 1980s, one of which had acquired a macrolide resistance cassette and was estimated to have risen sharply in its prevalence by coalescent analysis. Transmission

SUBMITTER: Croucher NJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4094930 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature