Open AccessSulfonamide resistance in Neisseria meningitidis as defined by site-directed mutagenesis could have its origin in other species
Author(s) -
Christian Fermér,
Bjørn-Erik Kristiansen,
Ola Sköld,
Göte Swedberg
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.652
H-Index - 246
eISSN - 1067-8832
pISSN - 0021-9193
DOI - 10.1128/jb.177.16.4669-4675.1995
Subject(s) - dhps , neisseria meningitidis , dihydropteroate synthase , biology , genetics , mutagenesis , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , neisseria , drug resistance , horizontal gene transfer , virology , mutation , bacteria , phylogenetics , plasmodium falciparum , pyrimethamine , malaria , immunology
Sulfonamide resistance in Neisseria meningitidis is mediated by altered forms of the chromosomal gene for the drug target enzyme dihydropteroate synthase. Sulfonamides have been used for decades both for prophylaxis and the treatment of meningococcal disease, and resistance is common. Two types of resistance determinants have been identified, and regions important for drug insusceptibility to the corresponding enzyme have been defined by site-directed mutagenesis. Both types of resistance traits have spread among strains of N. meningitidis of different serogroups and serotypes, and the large differences at the nucleotide level in a comparison of the resistance genes with the dhps genes of susceptible meningococci indicate the origin of one or maybe both types in other Neisseria species. One sulfonamide-sensitive strain of N. meningitidis was found to have a mosaic dhps gene with a central part identical to the corresponding part of a gonococcal strain. This observation supports the idea of an interspecies transfer of genetic material in Neisseria species as a mechanism for the development of chromosomally mediated resistance.