Linezolid resistance in clinical isolates of <i>Staphylococcus epidermidis</i> from German hospitals and characterization of two <i>cfr</i>-carrying plasmids

Abstract

To date, linezolid-resistant S. epidermidis have rarely been isolated from human clinical sources in Germany. Here, we describe the emergence and outbreaks of these strains. We detected previously described and novel point mutations in the 23S ribosomal genes. The cfr gene was only present in six isolates. However, this is the first known description of cfr incorporation into conjugative vectors; under selective pressure, these vectors could give reasonable cause for concern.