cfr(B), cfr(C), and a new cfr-like gene, cfr(E), in Clostridium difficile strains recovered across Latin America.

cfr(B), cfr(C), and a new cfr-like gene, cfr(E), in Clostridium difficile strains recovered across Latin America. Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2019 Nov 04;: Authors: Stojković V, Ulate MF, Hidalgo-Villeda F, Aguilar E, Monge-Cascante C, Pizarro-Guajardo M, Tsai K, Tzoc E, Camorlinga M, Paredes-Sabja D, Quesada-Gómez C, Fujimori DG, Rodríguez C Abstract Cfr is a radical S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAM) enzyme that confers cross-resistance to antibiotics targeting the 23S rRNA through hypermethylation of nucleotide A2503. Three cfr-like genes implicated in antibiotic resistance have been described, of which cfr(B) and cfr(C) have been sporadically detected in Clostridium difficile However, the methylase activity of Cfr(C) has not been confirmed. We found cfr(B), cfr(C), and a cfr-like gene that shows only 51-58% of protein sequence identity to Cfr and Cfr-like enzymes in clinical C. difficile isolates recovered across nearly a decade in Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Chile. This new determinant was termed cfr(E). In agreement with the anticipated function of the cfr-like genes detected, high minimum inhibitory concentrations of drugs from four groups of antibiotics targeting the ribosomal peptidyl transferase center were recorded for the isolates. In addition, in vitro assays confirmed that purified Cfr(C) and Cfr(E) methylate Escherichia coli and, to a lesser extent, C. difficile 23S rRNA fragments at the expected positions. The an...
Source: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy - Category: Microbiology Authors: Tags: Antimicrob Agents Chemother Source Type: research