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Nath C, Das T, Islam MS, Hasib FMY, Singha S, Dutta A, Barua H, Islam MZ. Colistin Resistance in Multidrug-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolated from Retail Broiler Meat in Bangladesh. Microb Drug Resist 2023; 29:523-532. [PMID: 37699212 DOI: 10.1089/mdr.2023.0026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The emergence of colistin resistance in Escherichia coli is a global public health concern. Contaminated food can accelerate the spread of colistin-resistant E. coli to humans. This study aimed to detect and characterize colistin-resistant E. coli from broiler meat in Bangladesh. We analyzed 136 pooled broiler meat samples from 240 carcasses collected from 40 live bird markets in urban and rural areas and 8 metropolitan supermarkets. The mean count of E. coli in broiler meat samples collected from rural retail shops, metropolitan supermarkets, and urban retail shops was 5.3 ± 1.1, 4.1 ± 1.4, and 3.9 ± 0.8 log10 colony-forming unit per gram, respectively. Colistin-resistant E. coli (minimum inhibitory concentration >2 mg/L) was found in 78% (95% confidence interval 70.2-84.1%) of the samples. All colistin-resistant isolates harbored the mcr-1 gene, while the rest of the mcr genes (mcr-2 to mcr-9) were not detected. Most colistin-resistant E. coli isolates (98%) showed coresistance to tetracycline, sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim followed by ciprofloxacin (95%). Alarmingly, all of the colistin-resistant isolates were found to be multidrug resistant. Phylogenetic analysis showed close similarities of the mcr-1 gene sequences of this study with many strains of Enterobacterales isolated from humans, animals, and the environment. This study detected colistin-resistant E. coli contamination in broiler meat, which can pose a serious public health threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chandan Nath
- Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Tridip Das
- School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Sciences and Health, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Md Sirazul Islam
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - F M Yasir Hasib
- Department of Pathology and Parasitology, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Shuvo Singha
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Università degli Studi di Milano, Lodi, Italy
| | - Avijit Dutta
- Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Himel Barua
- Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Md Zohorul Islam
- Department of Microbiology and Veterinary Public Health, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
- Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
- CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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Ali MW, Utsho KS, Karmakar S, Hoque MN, Rahman MT, Hassan J. First report on the molecular characteristics of mcr-1 colistin resistant E. coli isolated from retail broiler meat in Bangladesh. Int J Food Microbiol 2023; 388:110065. [PMID: 36610233 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijfoodmicro.2022.110065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 12/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Poultry meat is considered as a potential source of colistin resistant Escherichia coli (CREC). This study aimed to determine the prevalence and characteristics of CREC in broiler meat and ascertain their possible zoonotic potential(s). Broiler meat (n = 104) comprising 26 of each of the thigh, breast, liver, and proventriculus-gizzard was purchased from the retail outlets, Bangladesh. CREC was isolated from the meat samples on MacConkey agar plates containing colistin sulfate followed by PCR confirmation, mcr subtyping (mcr-1 to mcr-5), phylogenetic grouping and detailed molecular characterization through whole genome sequencing (WGS). Antimicrobial resistance of the CREC isolates were evaluated by disc diffusion method and MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) of colistin sulfate was determined by broth microdilution. The investigation revealed 58 (55.77 %) of 104 samples as positive for CREC, and 53 (91.38 %) of CREC isolates carried mcr-1 gene with no other mcr subtypes evident. Most of the CREC belonged to commensal E. coli (66.04 %) with some pathogenic phylotypes (33.96 %) based on dichotomous decision tree. All the mcr-1 CREC isolates were multidrug-resistant (MDR) and had MICs of 4-8 μg/mL colistin sulfate. WGS of a commensal MDR mcr-1 CREC strain 1ChBEc2mcr revealed as a potential human pathogen belonging to ST162 that harbored 60 virulence factors associated genes (VFGs). The mcr-1 gene in 1ChBEc2mcr genome was located on a plasmid (p1ChBEc2mcr) and showed nucleotide similarities (>95 %) to another plasmid reported from human E. coli in Bangladesh. Beyond mcr-1 gene, this plasmid (p1ChBEc2mcr) also harbored genes related to aminoglycoside, beta-lactams, macrolides, and tetracycline resistance. Presence of similar mcr-1 carrying plasmids in broiler and human CREC denotes a threat of possibly human to avian (broiler) or vice-versa transfer of mcr-1 CREC through close contact as prevailing in the retail outlets of Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Wohab Ali
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Kishor Sosmith Utsho
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Susmita Karmakar
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Md Nazmul Hoque
- Department of Gynecology, Obstetrics & Reproductive Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine & Animal Science, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur 1706, Bangladesh
| | - Md Tanvir Rahman
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Jayedul Hassan
- Department of Microbiology and Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
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Worldwide Prevalence of mcr-mediated Colistin-Resistance Escherichia coli in Isolates of Clinical Samples, Healthy Humans, and Livestock-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11060659. [PMID: 35745513 PMCID: PMC9230117 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11060659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 05/30/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Antimicrobial resistance is a serious public-health problem throughout the world. Escherichia coli, the most common Gram-negative microorganism, has developed different resistance mechanisms, making treating infections difficult. Colistin is considered a last-resort drug in the treatment of infections caused by E. coli. Plasmid-mediated mobile-colistin-resistant (mcr) genes in E. coli, now disseminated globally, are considered a major public-health threat. Humans, chickens, and pigs are the main reservoirs for E. coli and the sources of antibiotic resistance. Hence, an up-to-date and precise estimate of the global prevalence of mcr resistance genes in these reservoirs is necessary to understand more precisely the worldwide spread and to more effectively implement control and prevention strategies. Methodology: Publications were identified in the PubMed database on the basis of the PRISMA guidelines. English full-text articles were selected from December 2014 to March 2021. Descriptive statistics and a meta-analysis were performed in Excel and R software, respectively. Colistin resistance was defined as the molecular-genetic detection of the mcr genes. The crude and estimated prevalence were calculated for each host and continent. The studies were divided into two groups; community-based when they involved isolates from healthy humans, chickens, or pigs, and clinical studies when they involved only hospital, outpatient, or laboratory isolates. Results: A total of 1278 studies were identified and 218 were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis, divided into community studies (159 studies) and clinical studies (59 studies). The general prevalence of mcr-mediated colistin-resistant E. coli (mcrMCRE) was 6.51% (n = 11,583/177,720), reported in 54 countries and on five continents; Asia with 119 studies followed by Europe with 61 studies registered the most articles. Asia reported the major diversity of mcr-variants (eight of nine, except mcr-2). Worldwide, chickens and pigs proved to be the principal reservoir of mcr with an estimated prevalence of 15.8% and 14.9%, respectively. Healthy humans and clinical isolates showed a lower prevalence with 7.4% and 4.2% respectively. Conclusions: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, the worldwide prevalence of mcr in E. coli isolated from healthy humans, chickens, and pigs was investigated. A wide prevalence and distribution of mcr genes was demonstrated on all continents in E. coli isolates from the selected reservoirs. Understanding the epidemiology and occurrence in the reservoirs of mcr in E. coli on different continents of the world facilitates tracing how mcr genes are transmitted and determining the infection risks for humans. This knowledge can be used to reduce the incidence of zoonotic transmission by implementing the appropriate control programs.
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Kitti T, Kongfak S, Leungtongkam U, Thummeepak R, Tasanapak K, Thanwisai A, Sitthisak S. Comparative genome analysis of Escherichia coli bacteriophages isolated from sewage and chicken meat. Virus Res 2022; 315:198784. [DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Conjugative transfer of mcr-1-bearing plasmid from Salmonella to Escherichia coli in vitro on chicken meat and in mouse gut. Food Res Int 2022; 157:111263. [DOI: 10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2021] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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Prevalence of Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli from Poultry in South Asian Developing Countries. Vet Med Int 2021; 2021:6398838. [PMID: 34671452 PMCID: PMC8523263 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6398838] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Antimicrobial resistance has become a huge problem in animal and public health worldwide. Inadvertent use of antibiotics in poultry has led to the emergence of resistance against many antibiotics, even to last resort of drugs like colistin. Aim This study aimed to provide uniform quantitative estimate on the percentage prevalence of E. coli as well as to analyze their colistin resistance in poultry in South Asian developing countries. Methods Two electronic databases, PubMed and Research4Life, were used to search studies as per the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. The pooled data on the prevalence of E. coli and colistin resistance were analyzed. Results In the meta-analysis of 9 studies in South Asian region (Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India), the pooled prevalence of E. coli was 73% (95% CI, 0.549–0.916). The pooled prevalence of colistin resistance against E. coli from poultry was found to be 28% (95% CI, 0.158–0.438). Conclusion There is high prevalence of E. coli and their resistance rate against colistin in poultry. Therefore, antimicrobials in raising livestock should be supervised.
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Köck R, Herr C, Kreienbrock L, Schwarz S, Tenhagen BA, Walther B. Multiresistant Gram-Negative Pathogens—A Zoonotic Problem. DEUTSCHES ARZTEBLATT INTERNATIONAL 2021; 118:579-589. [PMID: 33814041 DOI: 10.3238/arztebl.m2021.0184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 03/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Extended-spectrum-β-lactamase-producing, carbapenemase-producing, and colistin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E, CPE, and Col-E) are multiresistant pathogens that are increasingly being encountered in both human and veterinary medicine. In this review, we discuss the frequency, sources, and significance of the zoonotic transmission of these pathogens between animals and human beings. METHODS This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective literature search. Findings for Germany are presented in the global context. RESULTS ESBL-E are common in Germany in both animals and human beings, with a 6-10% colonization rate in the general human population. A major source of ESBL-E is human-tohuman transmission, partly through travel. Some colonizations are of zoonotic origin (i.e., brought about by contact with animals or animal-derived food products); in the Netherlands, more than 20% of cases are thought to be of this type. CPE infections, on the other hand, are rare in Germany in both animals and human beings. Their main source in human beings is nosocomial transmission. Col-E, which bear mcr resistance genes, have been described in Germany mainly in food-producing animals and their meat. No representative data are available on Col-E in human beings in Germany; in Europe, the prevalence of colonization is less than 2%, with long-distance travel as a risk factor. The relevance of animals as a source of Col-E for human beings is not yet entirely clear. CONCLUSION Livestock farming and animal contact affect human colonization with the multiresistant Gram-negative pathogens CPE, ESBL-E and Col-E to differing extents. Improved prevention will require the joint efforts of human and veterinary medicine.
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Quantitative Analysis of Colistin-Resistant Escherichia coli in Retail Meat from Local Vietnamese Markets. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 2021:6678901. [PMID: 33681373 PMCID: PMC7910070 DOI: 10.1155/2021/6678901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The spread of drug-resistant bacteria via food has contributed to the dissemination of resistant bacteria among humans. However, the status of food contamination with resistant bacteria, particularly the quantitative level of resistant bacteria in food, has not yet been well elucidated. In this study, the abundance of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli in meat samples was quantified to understand the origin of the contamination of meat available in local Vietnamese markets. Fifteen samples each of chicken and pork meat purchased from local Vietnamese markets were assessed for the presence of colistin-resistant E. coli with the mobile colistin resistance gene, mcr. The results showed that 40% (6/15) and 66% (10/15) of the pork and chicken meat samples, respectively, were contaminated with colistin-resistant E. coli. The median quantitative levels of colistin-resistant E. coli in the contaminated pork and chicken samples were 1.8 × 104 and 4.2 × 103 CFU/g, respectively. The results of phylogenetic analysis of isolates from a chicken meat sample showed that the contaminated colistin-resistant E. coli was a mix of multiple phylogenetical clones of bacteria that may have multiplied during sale. This is the first study to quantify the abundance of colistin-resistant E. coli in meat samples.
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Ngogang MP, Ernest T, Kariuki J, Mouliom Mouiche MM, Ngogang J, Wade A, van der Sande MAB. Microbial Contamination of Chicken Litter Manure and Antimicrobial Resistance Threat in an Urban Area Setting in Cameroon. Antibiotics (Basel) 2020; 10:antibiotics10010020. [PMID: 33383622 PMCID: PMC7824223 DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10010020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 12/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We conducted a pilot study to assess microbiological safety of chicken litter, an affordable organic and main fertilizer used in Cameroon and worldwide. A convenience sampling of 26 farms was done and a questionnaire was administered. Samples of litter were aseptically collected. E. coli and Salmonella spp. were isolated using CLSI standards. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was performed using the disc diffusion method and a micro broth dilution method for colistin. In broiler farms, 90% of participating farmers gave antibiotic prophylaxis. The prevalence of E. coli and Salmonella spp. was 59.1% and 15.5%, respectively. All E. coli isolates were multidrug resistant as well as 36.4% for Salmonella spp. No resistance was found against cefepime and imipenem. All Salmonella spp. tested were found sensitive to colistin while 26.7% of E. coli spp. were colistin resistant. Contamination of chicken litter may be an underestimated source of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) transmission towards animals, humans and the environment with multidrug resistant E. coli and Salmonella spp. This shows the need and opportunity for a One Health approach in AMR surveillance and control in Cameroon. Continued surveillance in chicken litter would enable monitoring of AMR risks and trends.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Paule Ngogang
- Laboratoire de Recherche et d’Expertise Biomédicale (LABOREB), P.O. Box 35262 Yaoundé, Cameroon; (T.E.); (J.N.)
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (J.K.); (M.A.B.v.d.S.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tambo Ernest
- Laboratoire de Recherche et d’Expertise Biomédicale (LABOREB), P.O. Box 35262 Yaoundé, Cameroon; (T.E.); (J.N.)
- Higher Institute of Health Sciences, Université des Montagnes, P.O. Box 208 Bagangté, Cameroon
| | - Jennifer Kariuki
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (J.K.); (M.A.B.v.d.S.)
| | | | - Jeanne Ngogang
- Laboratoire de Recherche et d’Expertise Biomédicale (LABOREB), P.O. Box 35262 Yaoundé, Cameroon; (T.E.); (J.N.)
| | - Abel Wade
- Laboratoire National Veterinaire (LANAVET), P.O. Box 503 Garoua, Cameroon;
| | - Marianne Antonia Bernada van der Sande
- Institute of Tropical Medicine, 2000 Antwerp, Belgium; (J.K.); (M.A.B.v.d.S.)
- Global Health, Julius Centre for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3584 CG Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Detection of Plasmid-Mediated Colistin Resistant mcr-1 Gene in Escherichia coli Isolated from Infected Chicken Livers in Nepal. Animals (Basel) 2020; 10:ani10112060. [PMID: 33171808 PMCID: PMC7694996 DOI: 10.3390/ani10112060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/22/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Plasmid-mediated resistance to the colistin in poultry is considered as an emerging problem worldwide. While poultry constitutes the major industry in Nepal, there is a paucity of evidence on colistin resistance in Escherichia coli isolates causing natural infections in poultry. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene, mcr-1 in E. coli isolated from liver samples of dead poultry suspected of E. coli infections. Methods: A total of two hundred and seventy liver samples (227 broilers and 43 layers) from dead poultry suspected of colibacillosis were collected from post-mortem in the Central Veterinary Laboratory (CVL), Kathmandu, between 1 February and 31 July 2019. The specimens were processed to isolate and identify E. coli; an antimicrobial susceptibility test (AST) using disk diffusion method was performed with 12 different antibiotics: Amikacin (30 µg), ampicillin (10 µg), ciprofloxacin (5 µg), chloramphenicol (30 µg), cefoxitin (30 µg), ceftazidime (30 µg), ceftriaxone (30 µg), cotrimoxazole (25 µg), gentamicin (10 µg), imipenem (10 µg), levofloxacin (5 µg) and tetracycline (30 µg). Colistin resistance was determined by agar dilution method and colistin-resistant strains were further screened for plasmid-mediated mcr-1 gene, using conventional polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results: Out of 270 liver samples, 53.3% (144/270) showed growth of E. coli. The highest number (54%; 109/202) of E. coli isolates was obtained in the liver samples from poultry birds (of both types) aged less than forty days. In AST, 95.1% (137/144) and 82.6% (119/144) of E. coli isolates were resistant against tetracycline and ciprofloxacin, respectively, while 13.2% (19/144) and 25.7% (37/144) isolates were resistant to cefoxitin and imipenem, respectively. In the same assay, 76.4% (110/144) E. coli isolates were multi-drug resistant (MDR). The phenotypic prevalence of colistin resistance was 28.5% (41/144). In the PCR assay, 43.9% (18/41) of colistin-resistant isolates were screened positive for plasmid-mediated mcr-1. Conclusion: The high prevalence of mcr-1 in colistin-resistant E. coli isolates in our study is a cause of concern for the probable coming emergence of colistin resistance in human pathogens, due to horizontal transfer of resistant genes from poultry to human isolates.
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Galindo-Méndez M. Antimicrobial Resistance in Escherichia coli. E. COLI INFECTIONS - IMPORTANCE OF EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND EFFICIENT TREATMENT 2020. [DOI: 10.5772/intechopen.93115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/02/2023]
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Muktan B, Thapa Shrestha U, Dhungel B, Mishra BC, Shrestha N, Adhikari N, Banjara MR, Adhikari B, Rijal KR, Ghimire P. Plasmid mediated colistin resistant mcr-1 and co-existence of OXA-48 among Escherichia coli from clinical and poultry isolates: first report from Nepal. Gut Pathog 2020; 12:44. [PMID: 32963589 PMCID: PMC7499862 DOI: 10.1186/s13099-020-00382-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 09/08/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Plasmid-mediated resistance to the last-resort drugs: carbapenems and colistin is an emerging public health threat. The studies on the prevalence and co-expression of resistant genes among livestock and human pathogens are rare in Nepal. This is the first study in Nepal exploring the prevalence and co-existence of colistin resistance gene, mcr-1 along with carbapenemase resistance gene, OXA-48 in Escherichia coli isolated from poultry and clinical specimens. Methods A total of 240 rectal swabs from chickens of five different poultry farms of Kathmandu valley and 705 mid-stream urine samples from human subjects attending Kantipur Hospital, Kathmandu were collected between August, 2018 and March, 2019. Rectal swabs and urine specimens were cultured. E. coli isolated from the specimens were screened for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) using disk diffusion method’. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of colistin was determined by agar dilution method using 0.5 µg/ml to 32 µg/ml. The E. coli isolates were first screened for mcr-1 followed by screening for OXA-48 genes using conventional Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results Of the total samples analyzed, E. coli was isolated from 31.7% (76/240) of poultry and 7.9% (56/705) of clinical specimens. In AST, 80% (61/76) of E. coli from poultry and 79% (44/56) from clinical specimens were MDR. The phenotypic prevalence of colistin resistance in poultry specimens were 31.6% (24/76) and clinical specimens were 21.4% (12/56). In PCR assay, 27.6% (21/76) of poultry and 19.6% (11/56) of clinical isolates had colistin resistant mcr-1 gene. MICs value of E. coli isolates ranged from 4 to 32 (µg/ml) in both clinical and poultry isolates. Prevalence of co-existing carbapenem resistance gene, OXA-48, among colistin resistant mcr-1 positive isolates was 38% (8/21) in poultry specimens and 18.2% (2/11) in clinical specimens. Conclusions The high prevalence of colistin and carbapenem resistant genes, and their co-existence in plasmid DNA of E. coli isolates in this study suggests the possible spread to other animal, human and environmental pathogens. Molecular methods in addition to the conventional diagnostics in laboratories can help in early diagnosis, effective management and control of their potential transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bijaya Muktan
- Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Binod Dhungel
- Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Nabaraj Shrestha
- Central Veterinary Laboratory, Ministry of Agriculture, Land Management and Cooperatives, Government of Nepal, Tripureshwor, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Nabaraj Adhikari
- Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Megha Raj Banjara
- Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Bipin Adhikari
- Centre for Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nuffield Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Komal Raj Rijal
- Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Prakash Ghimire
- Central Department of Microbiology, Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Kathmandu, Nepal
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