Inducible expression of (B) by the ketolides telithromycin and cethromycin

Sir, Ketolides have generally been considered to be non-inducers of the resistance conferred by erm genes. A previous study reported that erm(B) was not induced by the ketolide telithromycin [1]. Inconsistent with this earlier result, however, it was subsequently reported that dimethylation at A2058 of 23S rRNA in a strain of Streptococcus pneumoniae with erm(B) was increased in the presence of telithromycin [2]. A recent study also showed that the ketolides telithromycin and cethromycin caused ribosome stalling at the regulatory region of erm(B) in an Escherichia coli cell-free system [3].
Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research