Molecular Analysis of Linezolid-Resistant Clinical Isolates of Mycobacterium abscessus

Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2019 Jan 29;63(2):e01842-18. doi: 10.1128/AAC.01842-18. Print 2019 Feb.

Abstract

A total of 194 Mycobacterium abscessus isolates were collected from patients, and the whole genomes were sequenced. Eighty-five (43.8%) isolates showed linezolid (LZD) resistance. Only 8.2% of resistant isolates harbored 23S rRNA mutations. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) revealed higher transcriptional levels of efflux pumps lmrS and mmpL9 in LZD-resistant isolates. Genome comparative analysis identified several new LZD resistance-associated genes. This study highlights the role of efflux pumps in LZD-resistant M. abscessus and proposes potential target genes for further studies.

Keywords: Mycobacterium abscessus; drug resistance mechanisms; linezolid.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Linezolid / pharmacology*
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Mycobacterium abscessus / drug effects*
  • Mycobacterium abscessus / genetics*
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 23S / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • RNA, Ribosomal, 23S
  • Linezolid