Pandemic Stress: How Azithromycin Uses Shape Resistance and Clonal Transfer in Staphylococcus aureus
During the 2019 pandemic, a sinister companion emerged in blood infection, with bacteria invading the blood: Staphylococcus aureus It has enhanced antibiotic resistance. The global rush to treat viral pneumonia often involves the widespread use of azithromycin, a drug class that targets bacterial proteins, a drug class that raises concerns that this practice may be unintentionally resistant to drug resistance in other pathogens. Amid this crisis, researchers in Rio de Janeiro set out to compare Staphylococcus aureus Isolates from pre- and post-pandemic pandemics, trying to understand how antibiotic prescriptions and bacterial genetics intersect in high-risk clinical settings.
Characteristics of Professor Gatia Santos and Professor Ryan Shanmon of the University of Rio de Janeiro and the University of Fluminnes Staphylococcus aureus Isolates recovered from blood infections before and during the pandemic. The team’s work, published in a scientific report, reveals a shift in clonal lineages or genetic family populations, and in turn shows a significant impact of previous azithromycin on antibiotic patterns.
Overall, nearly half of isolates are resistant to methicillin, while a small percentage have limited response to newer treatments such as ceftaroline and daptomycin, designed to overcome resistance. The extensive hospital adaptation lineage is dominant, accounting for 40% of resistant strains, while community-related genotypes make up almost one-third of all cases. Methicillin-resistant in patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease in 2019 Staphylococcus aureusa bacteria that is resistant to common antibiotics has become more common, affecting the vast majority of bacteria, while bacteria without viruses have become more common. These transfers highlight the staggering growth in multiple resistant infections that have surged in the pandemic.
Crucially, there is a clear link between azithromycin exposure and higher resistivity. “It has a significant impact on the resistance rate of cefocin, clindamycin and erythromycin Staphylococcus aureus Professor Santos explained that isolates of hemorrhagic flow infections were isolated from their bloodstream infections and were associated with previous use of achiromycin. Antibiotic use.
Beyond the resistance trend, genetic pattern Staphylococcus aureus Significant transfer during the study period. Proportion of community-related methicillin Staphylococcus aureus The lineage, including strains first identified in a U.S. community outbreak, is often more toxic and rises during the pandemic, replacing the clones that adapt to hospitals. “Alternating clones and increasing appearance of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus The lineage was also found, highlighting the importance of continuous microbial monitoring.
Drawing on clinical and molecular data, the team combines patient information and genetic analyses, highlighting the need for wise antibiotic management, especially when repurposing drugs in a pandemic setting. Methicillin-resistant surge Staphylococcus aureus In Covid-19 patients, coupled with the association between Azithromycin use and macrolide resistance, is a cautionary tale that balances immediate treatment needs with long-term effects on antibacterial efficacy.
Ultimately, research by Professor Chamon and Professor Santos shows how the virus pandemic changes the bacterial threat in hospitals, speeds up resistance and reshapes the mix of strain types. By linking community antibiotic use with measurable resistance transfer, the study provides actionable insights for the infection control team. As hospitals around the world prepare for potential trends in the future, continuous monitoring and centralized antibiotic management are critical to preventing the unintended consequences of widespread antibiotic use.
Journal Reference
Whitaker Co, Rocha de Oliveira TL, Ferreira ALP, NouérSA, Chamon RC, Dos Santos Krn “The effect of transformation of clonal cords and the effect of thiomycin use on antibiotic resistance of staphylococci. Scientific Reports, 2025; 15:597. doi:
About the Author
Dr. Santos, Regina, Netto, Dos, He is an expert in medical microbiology and serves as a full professor at the University of Rio de Janeiro, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The professor is a recognized fellow at the Brazilian National Council on Science and Technology Development and the Research Support Foundation in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The professor made a significant contribution to the study of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus through molecular and phenotypic diagnosis, molecular detection of antibacterial resistance and its correlation with conventional techniques and aspects related to conventional techniques and their virality and molecular correlation. Her research highlights translational medicine, which involves microbiology in clinical practice and healthcare, develops methods that can help guide empirical therapies and the rational use of antimicrobial drugs, thereby transferring the knowledge generated on the bench to clinical practice. Her research has been published in many scientific articles in the fields of medicine and microbiology. The professors oversee many undergraduate and graduate students, many of whom are now independent researchers at different universities.
Dr. Raiane Cardoso Chamon He holds a degree in biomedical science from the Federal University of Fluminense (UFF) (2011), a master’s degree (2013) and a doctorate. In the graduate program of Professor Paulo de Góes (IMPG) at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Science (Microbiology). She is an adjunct professor of clinical microbiology and serves in the Department of Pathology, UFF School of Medicine (2021-2023). Currently, she is the deputy head of the same department and is recognized by the Carlos Chagas Filho Foundation as a “young scientist in our state” to pursue research support in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Her research focuses on genotype and phenotypic characterization of antibacterial resistance and virulence staphylococcus spp. By Leadership staphylococcus UFF research team. She is also a permanent teacher in the UFF graduate program in pathology. Additionally, she worked with IMPG – UFRJ’s hospital infection laboratory involving involvement caused by trait and epidemiological and molecular studies. staphylococcus spp. Separated from the hospital in Rio de Janeiro.
