Mutations within therplDGene of Linezolid-Nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae Strains Isolated in the United States

Abstract

ABSTRACTThree invasiveStreptococcus pneumoniaestrains nonsusceptible to linezolid were isolated in the United States between 2001 and 2012 from the 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 therplDgene, which encodes ribosomal protein L4. Mutations in the 23S rRNA alleles or therplVgene were not detected.