Chloramphenicol Resistance in Neisseria meningitidis in Africa
Author Information
Author(s): Dominique L. Monnet, Niels Frimodt-Moller
Primary Institution: Statens Serum Institut, Copenhagen, Denmark
Hypothesis
Is chloramphenicol resistance present in Neisseria meningitidis strains in Africa?
Conclusion
Chloramphenicol resistance in Africa is relatively infrequent, suggesting it remains an appropriate treatment for meningococcal disease.
Supporting Evidence
- Chloramphenicol resistance was first described in meningococcal serogroup B isolates, but this study focused on serogroup A.
- Only one isolate tested positive for the catP gene, but it was still susceptible to chloramphenicol.
- Chloramphenicol is often used to treat meningococcal disease in Africa, especially during epidemics.
Takeaway
The study looked for a gene that makes bacteria resistant to chloramphenicol in samples from Africa and found it was mostly not there, meaning the medicine still works.
Methodology
The study assessed the frequency of the catP gene in 33 N. meningitidis strains using multilocus enzyme electrophoresis and PCR.
Limitations
The small sample size limited the chances of detecting rare resistance events.
Participant Demographics
Strains were collected from various countries in Africa, mostly during outbreaks, between 1963 and 1998.
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