Molecular Characteristics of Macrolide Resistance in from Patients with Latent Syphilis in Xinjiang, China.

BACKGROUND

Macrolide resistance in () has been increasing in recent years worldwide. However, few data are available on macrolide resistance in from Xinjiang province, located in the western part of China, which is an area with a high incidence of syphilis. In this study, we investigated the molecular characteristics of macrolide resistance in from patients with latent syphilis in Xinjiang, China.

METHODS

In total, 204 whole blood samples were collected from patients with latent syphilis during 2016 to 2017, in the First Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Genomic DNA of blood samples was extracted using a QIAamp DNA Mini Kit and was detected by PCR with the specific gene of . The 23S rRNA gene of was amplified among the -positive samples by nested PCR, and macrolide resistance-associated mutation sites A2058G and A2059G in the 23S rRNA gene were identified using restriction enzymes II and I.

RESULTS

The specific gene of ( positive) was detected in 27 blood samples (13.2%) from 204 patients with latent syphilis. The 23S rRNA gene was then amplified in all 27 -positive samples, among which 24/27 samples (88.9%) harbored the A2058G mutation in the 23S rRNA gene and 3/27 (11.1%) had the A2059G mutation.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that macrolide resistance should not be ignored in Xinjiang, China, and that A2058G was the predominant macrolide resistance mechanism. Blood may be a suitable specimen for the detection of resistant mutations of in patients with latent syphilis who do not show any clinical symptoms.