Molecular Investigation of Quinolone Resistance of Quinolone Resistance-Determining Region in Streptococcus pneumoniae Strains Isolated from Iran Using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism Method

A Review of the Impact of Streptococcal Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance on Human Health

Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes (GAS), and Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) are bacteria that can cause a range of infections, some of them life-threatening. This review examines the spread of antibiotic resistance and its mechanisms against antibiotics for streptococcal infections. Data on high-level penicillin-resistant invasive pneumococci have been found in Brazil (42.8%) and Japan (77%). The resistance is caused by mutations in genes that encode penicillin-binding proteins. Similarly, GAS and GBS strains reported from Asia, the USA, and Africa have undergone similar transformations in PBPs. Resistance to major alternatives of penicillins, macrolides, and lincosamides has become widespread among pneumococci and streptococci, especially in Asia (70-95%). The combination of several emm types with erm(B) is associated with the development of high-level macrolide resistance in GAS. Major mechanisms are ribosomal target modifications encoded by erm genes, ribosomal alterations, and active efflux pumps that regulate antibiotic entry due to mefA/E and msrD genes. Tetracycline resistance for streptococci in different countries varied from 22.4% in the USA to 83.7/100% in China, due to tet genes. Combined tetracycline/macrolide resistance is usually linked with the insertion of ermB into the transposon carrying tetM. New quinolone resistance is increasing by between 11.5 and 47.9% in Asia and Europe. The mechanism of quinolone resistance is based on mutations in gyrA/B, determinants for DNA gyrase, or parC/E encoding topoisomerase IV. The results for antibiotic resistance are alarming, and urgently call for increased monitoring of this problem and precautionary measures for control to prevent the spread of resistant mutant strains.

DNA-based detection of pork content in food

Determination of halal food is essential in ensuring the tranquillity of consumers, especially Muslims. Halal products mean they are free from prohibited ingredients according to Islamic law. One ingredient that is prohibited is food products containing pork and its derivatives. An accurate verification method with a fast result is necessary to meet this requirement for halal food. DNA quantification of pork is now believed to be able to make accurate and quick decisions, as DNA acts as a reservoir or biological characterization of all living things, including pigs, according to specific characteristics of molecular and connection settings. Various DNA-based methods developed include PCR, biosensor and CRISPR methods. This review discussed various DNA-based Keywords: biosensor, CRISPR, detection, DNA, pork, PCR methods, including PCR, biosensor and CRISPR, to detect pork content in food. Among these methods, CRISPR is considered the easiest, fastest and most accurate. Therefore, it is important to develop this method further in the future. In this article, we provide a short review on DNA-based methods for detection of pork content in food products.

Mutant selection window of four quinolone antibiotics against clinical isolates of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae and Moraxella catarrhalis

Community-acquired pneumonia and otitis media are caused by several bacterial species, including Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis. For the treatment of these diseases, various quinolones are frequently used. We determined the mutant prevention concentration (MPC) of four quinolones, levofloxacin, sitafloxacin, tosufloxacin, and garenoxacin, using 92 clinical isolates and evaluated each mutant selection window (MSW). Furthermore, the DNA sequence of the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) for the resistant mutant selected based on the MSW was determined. The MIC₉₀ and MPC₉₀ of levofloxacin were 0.781 μg/mL and 6.250 μg/mL for S. pneumoniae and 0.049 μg/mL and 1.563 μg/mL for M. catarrhalis and were higher than those for the other three quinolones. In addition, 5 strains of 30 S. pneumoniae (16.7%) selected based on the MSW of levofloxacin acquired resistance to only levofloxacin. In these 5 strains, a mutation of gyrA and/or parC was detected. In this study, no resistant mutant was selected in the MSW of any of the other three quinolones. On the other hand, clinical isolates of H. influenzae showed no resistance by all quinolone exposure. Finally, The MIC value and the mutation status in the QRDR did not change after 14 passages in antibiotic-free medium. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the increased use of levofloxacin may contribute to the increased quinolone-resistance of S. pneumoniae and M. catarrhalis.