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Emergence of Neisseria meningitidis ST-3587 harbouring bla ROB-1 and exhibiting dual resistance to penicillin and ciprofloxacin, Spain, 2024
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View Affiliations Hide AffiliationsCorrespondence:Juan José González-Lópezjuanjo.gonzalez vallhebron.cat
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Citation style for this article: . Emergence of Neisseria meningitidis ST-3587 harbouring bla ROB-1 and exhibiting dual resistance to penicillin and ciprofloxacin, Spain, 2024. Euro Surveill. 2026;31(4):pii=2500398. https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2026.31.4.2500398 Received: 06 Jun 2025; Accepted: 26 Aug 2025
Abstract
Dual penicillin- and ciprofloxacin-resistant Neisseria meningitidis causing invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) have recently emerged in association with sequence type (ST) 3587, harbouring ROB-1 β-lactamase (bla ROB-1) and a mutated DNA gyrase (gyrA). These strains pose a threat to current antimicrobial treatment and prophylaxis.
We aimed to characterise the first dual-resistant N. meningitidis ST-3587 isolates harbouring bla ROB-1 and a mutated gyrA identified in Spain.
Three N. meningitidis isolates encoding bla ROB-1 were identified in 2024. They were characterised by whole genome sequencing to determine capsular genogroups, ST and genetic antimicrobial resistance markers. Dated phylogenetic analysis was performed alongside global ST-3587 strains.
The three bla ROB-1-encoding isolates belonged to ST-3587, genogroup Y, harboured a T91I mutation in gyrA and showed resistance to penicillin and ciprofloxacin. These isolates were obtained from urethral, oropharyngeal and blood samples, each from a different patient. According to the dated phylogenetic analysis of ST-3587 and the presence of bla ROB-1, two clades were defined: clade I and clade II. Within clade II, subclade II.I was identified, comprising isolates which, in addition to bla ROB-1, carried the T91I mutation in gyrA. This subclade included the three Spanish isolates, which exhibited close genetic relatedness.
This study documents the emergence of N. meningitidis ST-3587 with dual resistance in Europe, including a documented urogenital infection by this lineage. Continued surveillance of antimicrobial resistance in N. meningitidis, including non-invasive cases, is crucial for timely public health responses and effective IMD prevention strategies.
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