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Predomination of hypervirulent ST283 and genetic diversity of levofloxacin resistance in multidrug-resistant, hypervirulent Streptococcus agalactiae in Thailand

Wajeeorn Ouancharee, Anusak Kerdsin, H. Van Doan, C. Chitmanat, K. Faksri, A. Lulitanond, A. Chanawong, N. Charoensri

Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2025

7 citations

Abstract

Abstract Introduction. Group B Streptococcus (GBS) is a multi-host pathogen causing pneumonia and meningitis in humans as well as streptococcal diseases in tilapia and mastitis in cattle. Thailand has experienced a significant increase in GBS infections that greatly impact health and economics. Gapstatement. The antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and genotype data of GBS in Thailand are still limited and require further study. Aim. This study aimed to describe AMR profiles and molecular characteristics, especially antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and virulence factor (VF) genes of GBS in Thailand. Methodology. AMR profiles of 221 GBS isolates from humans, fish and freshwater were examined. Whole-genome sequencing of 41 representative isolates was used to investigate capsular genotypes and sequence types (STs), ARGs and VF genotypes. Results. All GBS isolates were susceptible to penicillin; the majority (99.1%) showed resistance to tetracycline. In addition, the rates of resistance to clindamycin, erythromycin and levofloxacin were 22.6%, 20.4% and 2.3%, respectively; multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates (TE-E-CM and TE-E-CM-LVX) were 19.5%. Among 41 representative isolates, the dominant types were capsular genotype III (63.4%) and ST283 (43.9%). ARGs associated with resistance to tetracycline (tetM, tetO and tetS), erythromycin (ermB, ermA, mefA and msrD) and clindamycin (lsaC, lsaE and lnuB) were identified. Additionally, point mutations responsible for levofloxacin…

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