Tetracycline Resistance in Group A Streptococci: Emergence on a Global Scale and Influence on Multiple-Drug Resistance

Abstract

A global sample of group A streptococci (GAS) revealed > or =80 separate acquisitions of tetracycline resistance. Of 244 clones, 38 and 25% displayed resistance to tetracycline and erythromycin, respectively; a relatively high proportion (15%) were resistant to both classes of drugs. tet(M) displayed a highly significant association with erm(B).