A novel azithromycin resistance mutation in Mycoplasma genitalium induced in vitro

Abstract

Background Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted bacterium of increasing concern due to issues around antimicrobial resistance. Resistance is typically mediated by SNPs; however, the difficulty of isolation and culture of M. genitalium limits the ability to analyse the impact of individual mutations. Objectives The aim of this study was to generate and characterize antibiotic-resistant M. genitalium mutants in vitro to understand the development of macrolide resistance in this bacterium. Methods Sequential MIC assays for azithromycin were performed using the laboratory strain of M. genitalium (G37) grown in Hayflick medium. Bacteria were enumerated by droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) ta..