Investigation of First Identified mcr-1 Gene in an Isolate from a U.S. Patient - Pennsylvania, 2016

MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2016 Sep 16;65(36):977-8. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6536e2.

Abstract

In 2015, scientists reported the emergence of the plasmid-encoded mcr-1 gene conferring bacterial resistance to the antibiotic colistin (1), signaling potential emergence of a pandrug-resistant bacterium. In May 2016, mcr-1-positive Escherichia coli was first isolated from a specimen from a U.S. patient (2) when a Pennsylvania woman was evaluated for a urinary tract infection. The urine culture and subsequent testing identified the gene in an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing E. coli with reduced susceptibility to colistin. The patient had no international travel for approximately 1 year, no livestock exposure, and a limited role in meal preparation with store-bought groceries; however, she had multiple and repeated admissions to four medical facilities during 2016.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Colistin / pharmacology
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / isolation & purification*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Pennsylvania
  • Urinary Tract Infections / microbiology*

Substances

  • Colistin