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

Abstract

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.

FIG 1

Schematic representation of the genetic organization of the chromosomal region of the isolate LNP29202 that received the insertion of the bla_ROB-1 gene. The organization of the pB1000 plasmid harboring the bla_ROB-1 gene is also shown. The arrows indicate the genes (names are above the arrows). The GACTT sequences and the transcription terminator (the hairpin structure) are also indicated.

FIG 2

(A) Evolution of cases (numbers) of group Y invasive meningococcal disease in France per year during the period 2012 to 2017 according to clonal complexes (cc23 versus other cc). (B) Evolution of cases (numbers) of IMD for the whole period according to median age and to the clonal complexes (cc23 versus other cc). A chi-square test was performed to calculate the P value (cc23 versus other cc). The cases represent all the cases that were received at the National Reference Center for Meningococci, which types all the isolates as part of its mission of surveillance of IMD in France.