Prevalence of Escherichia coli colistin containing resistance genes isolated from porks and pork sellers in Ho Chi Minh City

Abstract

Colistin is used to treat infections with multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae bacteria. Now, after the discovery of the presence of the colistin-resistant mcr-1 plasmid gene, which is capable of horizontal transmission to bacteria, has raised a global threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. This study used a cross-sectional descriptive research method to be carried out at markets in Ho Chi Minh City in 2018. The study aimed to determine the percentage of Escherichia coli bacteria carrying colistin resistance genes isolated from pork and live pork sellers in Ho Chi Minh City. Research results show that E. coli strains isolated from pork have colistin resistance rate of 41.9% (26/62) and mcr-1 gene carrier rate of 35.8% (22/62). Meanwhile, the rate of colistin resistance in E. coli strains isolated from pork seller’s feces in this study was 36.1% (13/36) and carrying the mcr-1 gene was 7.8% (10/36). This suggests that mcr-1 is the main colistin resistance mechanism of colistin-resistant E. coli strains isolated from meat and feces of pork sellers in Vietnam. This study helps to warn of potential colistin-resistant E. coli reservoirs that can silently spread the colistin-resistant mcr-1 gene in the community.