Inducible colistin resistance via a disrupted plasmid-borne mcr-1 gene in a 2008 Vietnamese Shigella sonnei isolate.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The objective of this study was to assess the presence of mcr-1 in Shigella sonnei isolated in Vietnam.

Methods

WGS data were analysed for the presence of the mcr-1 gene sequence. The association of mcr-1 with a plasmid was assessed by PCR and by conjugation.

Results

Through genome sequencing we identified a plasmid-associated inactive form of mcr-1 in a 2008 Vietnamese isolate of Shigella sonnei. The plasmid was conjugated into Escherichia coli and mcr-1 was activated upon exposure to colistin, resulting in highly colistin-resistant transconjugants.

Conclusions

This is the first description of the mcr-1 gene in Shigella, which is atypical given that colistin is not ordinarily used to treat diarrhoea. Our data suggest the mcr-1 gene has been circulat

SUBMITTER: Pham Thanh D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4954929 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature