Abstract
BackgroundAntimicrobial resistance has become one of the most severe global threats to human and veterinary Medicine. colistin is an effective therapeutic agent against multi-drug-resistant pathogens. However, the discovery of transferable plasmids that confer resistance to colistin (mcr-1) has led to challenges in medical science. This study describes the role of wild birds in the harbouring and environmental spread of colistin-resistant bacteria, which could pose a potential hazard to human and animal health.MethodsIn total, 140 faecal samples from wild birds (migratory and resident birds) were tested. Twenty surface water samples were collected from the area in which wild bird trapping was conducted, and 50 human stool samples were collected from individuals residing near the surface water sources and farm buildings. Isolation and identification of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa from the different samples were performed using conventional culture techniques and biochemical identification. PCR amplification of the mcr genes was performed in all positive isolates. Sequencing of mcr-1 genes from three randomly selected E. coli carrying mcr-1 isolates; wild birds, water and humans was performed.ResultThe bacteriological examination of the samples showing isolates of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca and P. aeruginosa. The results of multiplex PCR of the mcr genes revealed that E. coli was the most prevalent gram-negative bacterium harbouring the mcr genes, whereas a low prevalence was observed for K. pneumoniae. The prevalence of mcr-1 in resident birds, migratory birds, water sources and humans were 10.4, 20,16.6 and 9.6% while the prevalence of mcr-2 were 1.4, 3.6, 11.1 and 9.6%, respectively. Sequencing of the mcr-1 gene from the three E. coli carrying mcr-1 isolates indicated a possible correlation between the wild bird and surface water isolates.ConclusionThe detection of mcr-1-positive bacteria in wild birds in Egypt indicates the possible environmental dissemination of this gene through bird activity. The impact of the interaction between domestic and wild animals on public health cannot be overlooked.
Highlights
Antimicrobial resistance has become one of the most severe global threats to human and veterinary Medicine. colistin is an effective therapeutic agent against multi-drug-resistant pathogens
A transferable plasmid that confers resistance to colistin was first discovered in Escherichia coli, K. pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains from China between April 2011 and November 2014 [7]
The current study showed that mcr genes were detected in E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa from resident birds and migratory birds (Table 2)
Summary
Antimicrobial resistance has become one of the most severe global threats to human and veterinary Medicine. colistin is an effective therapeutic agent against multi-drug-resistant pathogens. Antimicrobial resistance has become one of the most severe global threats to human and veterinary Medicine. The discovery of transferable plasmids that confer resistance to colistin (mcr-1) has led to challenges in medical science. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the most severe global threats to human and veterinary medicine. This crisis has been catalysed by the rapid emergence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae expressing enzymes such as KPC-2 (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-2) and NDM-1 (New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-1) [1, 2]. The global increase in carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae has resulted in the overuse of colistin with the inevitable risk of emerging resistance [3]. Many studies have attributed the emergence and silent dissemination of plasmid genes involved in polymyxin resistance to the current use of colistin as an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) in livestock [13]
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