Spread of Streptococcus suis Sequence Type 7 in China
Author Information
Author(s): Ye Changyun, Bai Xuemei, Zhang Ji, Jing Huaiqi, Zheng Han, Du Huamao, Cui Zhigang, Zhang Shouying, Jin Dong, Xu Yanmei, Xiong Yanwen, Zhao Ailan, Luo Xia, Sun Qiangzheng, Gottschalk Marcelo, Xu Jianguo
Primary Institution: State Key Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention and Control, Beijing, People’s Republic of China
Hypothesis
What events are associated with the emergence of Streptococcus suis Sequence Type 7 in China?
Conclusion
The study found that S. suis ST7 has spread across China and acquired the tetracycline resistance gene tetM, which is associated with the transposon Tn916.
Supporting Evidence
- All 114 tested isolates were resistant to tetracycline.
- 106 of the isolates were identified as ST7, linked to major outbreaks.
- The tetM gene was found in all 106 ST7 strains.
- Horizontal gene transfer of tetM is suspected to have occurred.
- Virulence genes were detected in all 114 isolates.
- Use of tetracycline in animal feed may contribute to the spread of ST7.
Takeaway
Scientists studied a type of bacteria called S. suis that can make people sick. They found that this bacteria has been spreading in China and can resist a medicine called tetracycline.
Methodology
The study tested 114 isolates of S. suis ST7 for antibiotic resistance and used multilocus sequence typing to analyze their genetic characteristics.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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