MCR-1-positive colistin-resistant Escherichia coli in immunocompromised hospitalised patients

Antimicrobial-resistant infections in immunocompromised patients are a critical issue that has led to an increase in morbidity and mortality, particularly in hospital settings [1]. For severe human infections caused by multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, colistin has been considered a last-resort antibiotic. However, the global dissemination of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance, mostly encoded by the mcr-1 gene, has led to a therapeutic impasse [2]. Although polymyxin resistance may be mediated by mutations in several genes involved in lipid A modification, plasmid-mediated colistin resistance due to the mcr-1 gene has been detected in continuously increasing numbers in Escherichia coli at the animal –human interface, becoming a major challenge for surveillance and control of infectious diseases [3].

Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents - June 23, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Flavio A. Oliveira, T ânia R. Zaccariotto, Cristiane Piveta, Christian C. Hofling, Mariangela R. Resende, Carlos E. Levy, Fernanda Esposito, Miriam R. Fernandes, Louise Cerdeira, Nilton Lincopan Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: research