Home
Resources
Publications
Benzalkonium Tolerance Genes and Outcome in Listeria Monocytogenes Meningitis

Benzalkonium Tolerance Genes and Outcome in Listeria Monocytogenes Meningitis

P H C Kremer, J A Lees, M M Koopmans, B Ferwerda, A W M Arends, M M Feller, K Schipper, M Valls Seron, A van der Ende, M C Brouwer, D van de Beek, S D Bentley

Clin Microbiol Infect. 2017 Apr;23(4):265.e1-265.e7.

PMID: 27998823

Abstract:

Objectives:
Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen that can cause meningitis. The listerial genotype ST6 has been linked to increasing rates of unfavourable outcome over time. We investigated listerial genetic variation and the relation with clinical outcome in meningitis.
Methods:
We sequenced 96 isolates from adults with listerial meningitis included in two prospective nationwide cohort studies by whole genome sequencing, and evaluated associations between bacterial genetic variation and clinical outcome. We validated these results by screening listerial genotypes of 445 cerebrospinal fluid and blood isolates from patients over a 30-year period from the Dutch national surveillance cohort.
Results:
We identified a bacteriophage, phiLMST6 co-occurring with a novel plasmid, pLMST6, in ST6 isolates to be associated with unfavourable outcome in patients (p 2.83e-05). The plasmid carries a benzalkonium chloride tolerance gene, emrC, conferring decreased susceptibility to disinfectants used in the food-processing industry. Isolates harbouring emrC were growth inhibited at higher levels of benzalkonium chloride (median 60 mg/L versus 15 mg/L; p <0.001), and had higher MICs for amoxicillin and gentamicin compared with isolates without emrC (both p <0.001). Transformation of pLMST6 into naive strains led to benzalkonium chloride tolerance and higher MICs for gentamicin.
Conclusions:
These results show that a novel plasmid, carrying the efflux transporter emrC, is associated with increased incidence of ST6 listerial meningitis in the Netherlands. Suggesting increased disease severity, our findings warrant consideration of disinfectants used in the food-processing industry that select for resistance mechanisms and may, inadvertently, lead to increased risk of poor disease outcome.

Chemicals Related in the Paper:

Catalog Number	Product Name	Structure	CAS Number	Price
AP1642559714	Amoxicillin Related Compound D		1642559-71-4	Price

As a specialist in analytical chemical Products, Alfa Chemistry offers consumers a wealth of raw materials and a full range of technologies and services.

QUICK LINKS

HEADQUARTERS

Tel:

Fax:

Email: