The emergence of the ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae FC428 clone by transfer of resistance from an oral Neisseria subflava reservoir of resistance.
Journal
The Journal of antimicrobial chemotherapy
ISSN: 1460-2091
Titre abrégé: J Antimicrob Chemother
Pays: England
ID NLM: 7513617
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
02 02 2022
02 02 2022
Historique:
received:
25
03
2021
accepted:
05
10
2021
pubmed:
9
11
2021
medline:
4
3
2022
entrez:
8
11
2021
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae FC428 clone was first discovered in Japan in 2015. We investigated the possibility of horizontal gene transfer from Neisseria subflava harbouring the mosaic-like PBP-2 in the emergence of the FC428 clone. We also analysed whether there were fitness costs associated with the sustained international dissemination of the clone. Sequencing of the penA gene in ceftriaxone-resistant N. subflava strains was performed. For transformation experiments between donor N. subflava and ciprofloxacin-resistant wild-type penA N. gonorrhoeae recipient, the full-length PCR amplification product of the penA gene, including DUS regions, was used as the donor DNA. Biological fitness of the transformants was measured by growth competition assays. The impact of QRDR and mtrR mutations, which have been reported as compensatory mutations, on fitness was also assessed. The penA mosaic allele of the FC428 clone showed 100%, 91.8%, and 89.8% homology, respectively, with penA genes of three ceftriaxone-resistant N. subflava strains, No. 30, No. 9 and No. 14. Results were consistent with homologous recombination with the donated penA mosaic allele. In co-cultures with the parent strain, transformants showed comparable growth indicating that a gyrA mutation compensates for the fitness cost of mosaic penA alleles. Our findings support the hypothesis that the FC428 clone was generated by transformation of the mosaic penA allele from oropharyngeal N. subflava to N. gonorrhoeae. Furthermore, it suggests that mutations in the gyrA QRDR region compensate for fitness costs and contribute to the continued transmission of the FC428 clone.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The ceftriaxone-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae FC428 clone was first discovered in Japan in 2015.
OBJECTIVES
We investigated the possibility of horizontal gene transfer from Neisseria subflava harbouring the mosaic-like PBP-2 in the emergence of the FC428 clone. We also analysed whether there were fitness costs associated with the sustained international dissemination of the clone.
METHODS
Sequencing of the penA gene in ceftriaxone-resistant N. subflava strains was performed. For transformation experiments between donor N. subflava and ciprofloxacin-resistant wild-type penA N. gonorrhoeae recipient, the full-length PCR amplification product of the penA gene, including DUS regions, was used as the donor DNA. Biological fitness of the transformants was measured by growth competition assays. The impact of QRDR and mtrR mutations, which have been reported as compensatory mutations, on fitness was also assessed.
RESULTS
The penA mosaic allele of the FC428 clone showed 100%, 91.8%, and 89.8% homology, respectively, with penA genes of three ceftriaxone-resistant N. subflava strains, No. 30, No. 9 and No. 14. Results were consistent with homologous recombination with the donated penA mosaic allele. In co-cultures with the parent strain, transformants showed comparable growth indicating that a gyrA mutation compensates for the fitness cost of mosaic penA alleles.
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings support the hypothesis that the FC428 clone was generated by transformation of the mosaic penA allele from oropharyngeal N. subflava to N. gonorrhoeae. Furthermore, it suggests that mutations in the gyrA QRDR region compensate for fitness costs and contribute to the continued transmission of the FC428 clone.
Identifiants
pubmed: 34747462
pii: 6423110
doi: 10.1093/jac/dkab390
doi:
Substances chimiques
Anti-Bacterial Agents
0
Ceftriaxone
75J73V1629
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
364-373Informations de copyright
© The Author(s) 2021. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.