Meningococci with Reduced Susceptibility to Third-Generation Cephalosporins

Neisseria meningitidis isolates with reduced penicillin susceptibility due to a modified penA gene coding for penicillin-binding protein 2 have been known for several years. However, until recently, such isolates have been fully susceptible to third-generation cephalosporins (C3Gs; cefotaxime and ceftriaxone) that are part of the currently recommended empiric regimen for community-acquired meningitis.

Researchers from the French National Reference Centre for Meningococci — which receives 76% of the isolates from the approximately 500 annual cases of invasive meningococcal disease in France — detected reduced penicillin susceptibility in 26% of 1407 isolates collected between 2012 and 2015. In 7% of these (2% of all isolates), reduced suscept…