Increased Azithromycin Resistance Observed in Clinical Chlamydia trachomatis Isolates: An in vitro Induction Model

Chlamydia trachomatis infections are increasing worldwide and constitute a significant threat to global public health. The number of chlamydial infection cases was estimated as 129 million in 2020. In addition, several countries have reported antimicrobial resistance in C. trachomatis, particularly...

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Published inJournal of bacteriology and virology Vol. 54; no. 3; pp. 243 - 245
Main Authors Choi, Yeon-Joo, Kang, Taeuk, Lee, Kwang-Jun, Jang, Won-Jong
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published 대한미생물학회 01.09.2024
Subjects
생물학
Chlamydia trachomatis
23S rRNA
Azithromycin
Antibiotic resistance
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Summary:Chlamydia trachomatis infections are increasing worldwide and constitute a significant threat to global public health. The number of chlamydial infection cases was estimated as 129 million in 2020. In addition, several countries have reported antimicrobial resistance in C. trachomatis, particularly against azithro- mycin, which is used for the first-line treatment of C. trachomatis infections. Despite such clinical significance, the molecular mechanisms of antimicrobial re- sistance acquisition are not comprehensively understood. In this study, anti- microbial resistance was induced in clinically isolated C. trachomatis via an in vitro model. We also attempted to detect single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in antimicrobial resistance-associated genes, such as 23S rRNA and rplD (L4). Resis- tance against azithromycin was induced in clinical C. trachomatis isolates. More importantly, an SNP causing an amino acid change on 23S rRNA was observed in azithromycin resistance-induced clinical isolates. This SNP (2058A<C, E686D) was previously reported to be associated with antimicrobial resistance. Our finding empirically proved that the abusive use of antimicrobials during C. trachomatis treatment may lead to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. At the same time, the identified SNP on 23S rRNA can be used as a target to detect azithro- mycin resistance upon treatment failure in case of C. trachomatis infections. Continuous surveillance and investigations should be conducted to better comprehend the nature of C. trachomatis infections. KCI Citation Count: 0
ISSN:1598-2467
2093-0429
DOI:10.4167/jbv.2024.54.3.243