Utility of sequencing the erm(41) gene in isolates of Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. abscessus with low and intermediate clarithromycin MICs.

ABSTRACT: The erm(41) gene confers inducible macrolide resistance in Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. abscessus, calling into question the usefulness of macrolides for treating M. abscessus subsp. abscessus infections. With an extended incubation (14 days), isolates with MICs of ≥8 μg/ml are considered macrolide resistant by current CLSI guidelines. Our goals were to determine the incidence of macrolide susceptibility in U.S. isolates, the validity of currently accepted MIC breakpoints, and the erm(41) sequences associated with susceptibility. Of 349 isolates (excluding those with 23S rRNA gene mutations), 85 (24%) had clarithromycin MICs of ≤8 μg/ml. Sequencing of the erm(41) genes from these isolates, as well as from isolates with MICs of ≥16 μg/ml, including ATCC 19977T, revealed 10 sequevars. The

SUBMITTER: Brown-Elliott BA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4365201 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature