Detection of plasmid-borne mcr genes conferring colistin resistance in MDR and XDR Gram-negative bacterial isolates from an Egyptian hospital

Background: Infections with multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria represent a serious public health risk, especially with the emergence of colistin resistance. Colistin resistance is mainly mediated by chromosomal mutations; however, there are reports of transferable plasmid-mediated col...

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Main Authors: Doaa Yousef, Ahmed Soliman, Fatma Sonbol, Amal Abo Kamer, Hazem Ramadan, Mahmoud Farghali
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Zagazig University, Faculty of Medicine 2025-08-01
Series:Microbes and Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/article_422773_5ee7e792e3f03b755d38724453bf162d.pdf
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author Doaa Yousef
Ahmed Soliman
Fatma Sonbol
Amal Abo Kamer
Hazem Ramadan
Mahmoud Farghali
author_facet Doaa Yousef
Ahmed Soliman
Fatma Sonbol
Amal Abo Kamer
Hazem Ramadan
Mahmoud Farghali
author_sort Doaa Yousef
collection DOAJ
description Background: Infections with multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria represent a serious public health risk, especially with the emergence of colistin resistance. Colistin resistance is mainly mediated by chromosomal mutations; however, there are reports of transferable plasmid-mediated colistin resistance genes, namely mcr, which have been universally documented. Thus, our study aimed to examine the incidence of mobile colistin resistance genes (mcr-1 and mcr-2) among MDR and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Gram-negative bacteria. Methods Two hundred and forty-two Gram-negative clinical bacterial isolates were obtained in our study. Using standard microbiological methods, the bacteria were isolated and identified. Colistin resistance was phenotypically detected utilizing the broth microdilution technique. The colistin-resistant isolates were examined for their antimicrobial susceptibility profile using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. We used PCR to identify the mcr-1 and mcr-2 genes. Results Our data revealed that up to 18 (7.8%) isolates were colistin-resistant, including 11 Klebsiella spp. isolates, six Pseudomonas spp. isolates and only one Escherichia coli isolate. The PCR results revealed that mcr-1 was found in two isolates (11.1%), including one isolate of Klebsiella spp. (colistin MIC=32 µg/ml) and one isolate of Escherichia coli (colistin MIC=4 µg/ml). None of the colistin-resistant isolates carried mcr-2. Conclusions Based on our data, a relatively low incidence of colistin resistance was observed among clinical isolates. However, the detection of mcr-1 in two isolates of different species is concerning because of the possibility of spreading to susceptible strains. Public Health authorities should implement colistin resistance monitoring programs and infection control strategies in healthcare settings.
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spelling doaj-art-ce7fa8060b8343e886da4412ea4f1d122025-08-20T03:37:23ZengZagazig University, Faculty of MedicineMicrobes and Infectious Diseases2682-41322682-41402025-08-01634020403410.21608/mid.2025.368471.2628422773Detection of plasmid-borne mcr genes conferring colistin resistance in MDR and XDR Gram-negative bacterial isolates from an Egyptian hospitalDoaa Yousef0Ahmed Soliman1Fatma Sonbol2Amal Abo Kamer3Hazem Ramadan4Mahmoud Farghali5Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, EgyptDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Kafr-Elsheikh University, Kafr-Elsheikh 33516, EgyptDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, EgyptDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, EgyptHygiene and Zoonoses Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Mansoura University, Mansoura 35516, EgyptDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, EgyptBackground: Infections with multi-drug resistant (MDR) Gram-negative bacteria represent a serious public health risk, especially with the emergence of colistin resistance. Colistin resistance is mainly mediated by chromosomal mutations; however, there are reports of transferable plasmid-mediated colistin resistance genes, namely mcr, which have been universally documented. Thus, our study aimed to examine the incidence of mobile colistin resistance genes (mcr-1 and mcr-2) among MDR and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) Gram-negative bacteria. Methods Two hundred and forty-two Gram-negative clinical bacterial isolates were obtained in our study. Using standard microbiological methods, the bacteria were isolated and identified. Colistin resistance was phenotypically detected utilizing the broth microdilution technique. The colistin-resistant isolates were examined for their antimicrobial susceptibility profile using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method. We used PCR to identify the mcr-1 and mcr-2 genes. Results Our data revealed that up to 18 (7.8%) isolates were colistin-resistant, including 11 Klebsiella spp. isolates, six Pseudomonas spp. isolates and only one Escherichia coli isolate. The PCR results revealed that mcr-1 was found in two isolates (11.1%), including one isolate of Klebsiella spp. (colistin MIC=32 µg/ml) and one isolate of Escherichia coli (colistin MIC=4 µg/ml). None of the colistin-resistant isolates carried mcr-2. Conclusions Based on our data, a relatively low incidence of colistin resistance was observed among clinical isolates. However, the detection of mcr-1 in two isolates of different species is concerning because of the possibility of spreading to susceptible strains. Public Health authorities should implement colistin resistance monitoring programs and infection control strategies in healthcare settings.https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/article_422773_5ee7e792e3f03b755d38724453bf162d.pdfmulti-drug resistant (mdr)colistin resistanceplasmid-mediated resistancemcr genesgram-negative bacteria
spellingShingle Doaa Yousef
Ahmed Soliman
Fatma Sonbol
Amal Abo Kamer
Hazem Ramadan
Mahmoud Farghali
Detection of plasmid-borne mcr genes conferring colistin resistance in MDR and XDR Gram-negative bacterial isolates from an Egyptian hospital
Microbes and Infectious Diseases
multi-drug resistant (mdr)
colistin resistance
plasmid-mediated resistance
mcr genes
gram-negative bacteria
title Detection of plasmid-borne mcr genes conferring colistin resistance in MDR and XDR Gram-negative bacterial isolates from an Egyptian hospital
title_full Detection of plasmid-borne mcr genes conferring colistin resistance in MDR and XDR Gram-negative bacterial isolates from an Egyptian hospital
title_fullStr Detection of plasmid-borne mcr genes conferring colistin resistance in MDR and XDR Gram-negative bacterial isolates from an Egyptian hospital
title_full_unstemmed Detection of plasmid-borne mcr genes conferring colistin resistance in MDR and XDR Gram-negative bacterial isolates from an Egyptian hospital
title_short Detection of plasmid-borne mcr genes conferring colistin resistance in MDR and XDR Gram-negative bacterial isolates from an Egyptian hospital
title_sort detection of plasmid borne mcr genes conferring colistin resistance in mdr and xdr gram negative bacterial isolates from an egyptian hospital
topic multi-drug resistant (mdr)
colistin resistance
plasmid-mediated resistance
mcr genes
gram-negative bacteria
url https://mid.journals.ekb.eg/article_422773_5ee7e792e3f03b755d38724453bf162d.pdf
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