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Prevalence of Colistin-Resistant Bacteria among Retail Meats in Japan

Justice O Odoi1, Sayo Takayanagi2, Michiyo Sugiyama1

  • 1Department of Applied Veterinary Sciences, United Graduate School of Veterinary Sciences, Gifu University, 1-1 Yanagido, Gifu 501-1193, Japan.

Food Safety (Tokyo, Japan)
|July 12, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Colistin resistance and mcr genes were found in gram-negative bacteria from Japanese retail meats. Surveillance is crucial to monitor colistin resistance in food products.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Food Safety
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Colistin (CST) is a critical last-resort antibiotic for multidrug-resistant bacterial infections.
  • The emergence and spread of colistin resistance genes, such as mcr-1, in Enterobacteriaceae pose a significant public health threat.
  • Previous reports of mcr-1 in China have raised concerns about its prevalence in food-producing animals and products.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of colistin resistance in gram-negative bacteria isolated from retail meats in Japan.
  • To identify colistin resistance genes, specifically mcr genes, in these resistant isolates.
  • To assess the potential risk of colistin-resistant bacteria in the food supply.

Main Methods:

  • Collection and analysis of 310 retail meat samples (chicken, pork, beef) from Japan between May 2017 and July 2018.
  • Isolation and identification of gram-negative bacteria using colistin-containing media and antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
  • Detection of mcr genes (mcr-1, mcr-3) in isolates with elevated colistin minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs).

Main Results:

  • Colistin-resistant bacteria were detected in 37.9% of chicken, 18.4% of pork, and 17.3% of beef samples.
  • A total of 99 colistin-resistant isolates were identified among 459 isolates, belonging to various genera including Escherichia coli, Aeromonas, and Enterobacter.
  • The mcr-1 gene was found in 14 E. coli isolates, and the mcr-3 gene was detected in two Aeromonas sobria isolates.

Conclusions:

  • Colistin-resistant gram-negative bacteria, including those carrying mcr genes, are present in Japanese retail meats.
  • The findings underscore the importance of continuous surveillance of colistin resistance and associated genes in food products.
  • Effective monitoring strategies are necessary to mitigate the spread of antimicrobial resistance through the food chain.
Keywords:
colistingram-negative bacteriaplasmid-mediated colistin-resistance generetail meat

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