Acquisition of Beta-Lactamase by Neisseria meningitidis through Possible Horizontal Gene Transfer

Eva Hong (1) , Ala-Eddine Deghmane (1) , Muhamed-Kheir Taha (1)

1 CNR - Centre National de Référence des Méningocoques et Haemophilus influenzae - National Reference Center Meningococci and Haemophilus influenzae

We report the detection in France of a beta-lactamase-producing invasive meningococcal isolate. Whole-genome sequencing of the isolate revealed a ROB-1-type beta-lactamase gene that is frequently encountered in Haemophilus influenzae, suggesting horizontal transfer between isolates of these bacterial species. Beta-lactamases are exceptional in meningococci, with no reports for more than 2 decades. This report is worrying, as the expansion of such isolates may jeopardize the effective treatment against invasive meningococcal disease.

Keywords: Neisseria meningitidis; beta-lactamases

Domains: Life Sciences [q-bio]; Microbiology and Parasitology; Bacteriology

Eva Hong, Ala-Eddine Deghmane, Muhamed-Kheir Taha. Acquisition of Beta-Lactamase by Neisseria meningitidis through Possible Horizontal Gene Transfer. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, 2018, 62 (9), pp.e00831-18. ⟨10.1128/AAC.00831-18⟩. ⟨pasteur-01950880⟩