A putative erm gene is present in ΔermB Clostridioides difficile isolates showing high levels of resistance to clindamycin

Abstract

Clostridioides difficile has become the leading cause of hospital-acquired diarrhea. Clindamycin is a member of the macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B family of protein synthesis inhibitors. Been the ribosomal methylation the most widespread mechanism of resistance to these antibiotics in C difficile erm genes usually produce high levels of resistance to these drugs. In this short report we present evidence about the presence of an unreported putative erm gene in C difficile isolates that despite of presenting a {Delta}ermB genotype maintain high levels of clindamycin resistance.