Antimicrobial susceptibility and penicillin resistance mechanism in the Japanese clinical isolates of Neisseria meningitidis

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K08818
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 54030:Infectious disease medicine-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Medical and Dental University
• Principal Investigator: SAITO Ryoichi 東京医科歯科大学, 大学院医歯学総合研究科, 教授 (00581969)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 髄膜炎菌 / 侵襲性髄膜炎菌感染症 / ペニシリン系抗菌薬 / 薬剤感受性 / ペニシリン結合タンパク質 / 血清群別 / Sequence type

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) is a disease that involves high public health concerns due to its high mortality and outbreaks. However, in Japan, understanding the status of antimicrobial resistance among the causative meningococci has been delayed. Furthermore, the mechanism of penicillin resistance remains largely unknown. Among the 87 IMD-derived strains collected nationwide, penicillin-nonsusceptible strains were approximately 50%, but no ceftriaxone-nonsusceptible strain was detected. Penicillin resistance was suggested to be due to specific penA mosaic sequences such as penA9 and penA33. Furthermore, a rapid assay system for the major six serogrouping was established.

Free Research Field

細菌学、感染症学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究成果は、本邦IMD症例に対する治療・予防に関する指針改定の情報基盤となる。また本研究成果により、抗菌薬適正使用が推進・強化されることで、ペニシリン系抗菌薬（PC）耐性を含む薬剤耐性の発生・拡散抑止に繋がるほか、PC耐性化機構の解明を通して耐性機構を回避する新規薬剤開発や菌株疫学調査の一層の迅速簡便化に貢献すると期待できる。