Detection of methyltransferase CFR multidrug resistant gene in bacterial isolates from intensive care unit and ocular infections

We screened a total of 308 bacterial isolates (25 ICU and 283 ocular samples) for the presence of cfr gene and a mutation in the V-domain of 23S rRNA, as they are known to confer resistance to various antibiotics, including linezolid. We report, multi drug resistant (MDR) methyltransferase cfr gene positive Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermidis isolated from a patient with septicemia admitted to ICU and ocular infection respectively. V-domain mutation has been noticed in five bacterial isolates derived from the ocular infections (G2576T) in the 23S rRNA. In conclusion, the detection of the MDR conferring cfr gene in the bacterial isolate implies a need for screening the infectious clinical samples for the presence of cfr gene to effectively treat infections, especially which are resistant to linezolid. The ocular samples may also be screened for the presence of cfr gene as linezolid is also being used to treat vancomycin resistant ocular infections.