Mutations within the rplD gene of linezolid nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae strains isolated in the USA

ABSTRACT

Three invasive S. pneumoniae strains nonsusceptible to linezolid have been isolated in the USA between 2001 and 2012 from CDC's Active Bacterial Core surveillance. Linezolid binds ribosomal proteins where structural changes within its target site may confer resistance. Our study identified mutations and deletions near the linezolid binding pocket of two of these strains, within the rplD gene, which encodes ribosomal protein L4. Mutations in the 23S rRNA alleles of the rplV gene were not detected.