Unveiling the prevalence of macrolide resistance genes in Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from Indonesia

The effectiveness of macrolides in the treatment of pneumococcal infections has been increasingly challenged by the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance mechanisms. This study aims to determine the prevalence of macrolide resistance genes (mefA and ermB) among Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates from selected regions of Indonesia. A total of 703 archived S. pneumoniae isolates were screened for both genes using polymerase chain reaction. A total of 11% and 4% isolates were positive for mefA and ermB, respectively. The major serotype carrying the mefA gene was 19F (48%), followed by serotype 23F (39%). The predominant serotype containing the ermB genes was 19F (17%). The occurrence of macrolide resistance in S. pneumoniae in Indonesia shows a notable pattern, with the most prominent presence observed in serotype 19F.