Open Accessmcr-1 identified in Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC)
Author(s) -
Nicolle Lima Barbieri,
Daniel W. Nielsen,
Yvonne Wannemuehler,
Tia Cavender,
Hussein Awad Hussein,
Shigan Yan,
Lisa K. Nolan,
Catherine M. Logue
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
plos one
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.99
H-Index - 332
ISSN - 1932-6203
DOI - 10.1371/journal.pone.0172997
Subject(s) - colistin , biology , escherichia coli , pathogenic escherichia coli , mcr 1 , feces , klebsiella pneumoniae , antimicrobial , microbiology and biotechnology , antibiotic resistance , gene , genotype , animal husbandry , enterobacteriaceae , genetics , antibiotics , ecology , agriculture
Antimicrobial resistance associated with colistin has emerged as a significant concern worldwide threatening the use of one of the most important antimicrobials for treating human disease. Here, we examined a collection (n = 980) of Avian Pathogenic Escherichia coli (APEC) isolated from poultry with colibacillosis from the US and internationally for the presence of mcr-1 and mcr-2 , genes known to encode colistin resistance. Included in the analysis was an additional set of avian fecal E . coli (AFEC) (n = 220) isolates from healthy birds for comparative analysis. The mcr-1 gene was detected in a total of 12 isolates recovered from diseased production birds from China and Egypt. No mcr genes were detected in the healthy fecal isolates. The full mcr-1 gene from positive isolates was sequenced using specifically designed primers and were compared with sequences currently described in NCBI. mcr-1 positive isolates were also assessed for phenotypic colistin resistance and extended spectrum beta lactam phenotypes and genotypes. This study has identified mcr-1 in APEC isolates dating back to at least 2010 and suggests that animal husbandry practices could result in a potential source of resistance to the human food chain in countries where application of colistin in animal health is practiced.