Macrolide Resistance Genes in Gram-positive Bacteria from COVID-19 Patients: Metadata and Database

This study investigates the prevalence and distribution of macrolide resistance genes in Gram-positive bacteria isolated from COVID-19 patients in Santander, Colombia. The widespread use of azithromycin and other macrolides during the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to increasing antimicrobial resistance in bacterial pathogens. This descriptive study analyzed 112 nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal, and tracheal aspirate samples stored from hospitalized COVID-19 patients in 2020, from which 48 Gram-positive strains were isolated. Phenotypic resistance testing and endpoint PCR were employed to identify resistance phenotypes and the presence of macrolide resistance genes, including <i>ermA</i>, <i>ermB</i>, <i>ermT</i>, and <i>mef(A/E)</i>. The findings aim to inform public health strategies on antimicrobial resistance in the context of COVID-19.