Emergence of meningococci with reduced susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins.

OBJECTIVES

Reduced susceptibility to penicillin G in Neisseria meningitidis is mainly due to alterations in PBP2 encoded by the penA gene. However, this phenotype was not associated with reduced susceptibility to third-generation cephalosporins (C3Gs). We aimed to study the emergence of meningococci with reduced susceptibility to C3Gs (MIC >0.06 mg/L) in France since 2012.

METHODS

Invasive meningococcal isolates were typed by MLST and penA sequencing and their antibiotic susceptibility was tested.

RESULTS

Isolates with reduced susceptibility to C3Gs represented 2% of all invasive isolates from 2012-15, but were absent before. They harboured a new penA allele, penA327, that was also detected in isolates from urethritis cases and in gonococci.

CONCLUSIONS

Surveillance of these isolates should be enhanced as they may jeopardize the use of C3Gs in the management of invasive meningococcal disease.