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A High-throughput Platform for the Screening of Salmonella spp./Shigella spp.
Published on: November 7, 2018
Risk Factors and Prevalence of mcr-1-Positive Escherichia coli in Fecal Carriages Among Community Children in
Pin-Chieh Wu1,2,3, Ming-Fang Cheng1,4,5,6, Wan-Ling Chen1,3
1Institute of Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Colistin is the last resort antimicrobial for treating multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections. The plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene, mcr-1, crucially influences colistin's resistance transmission. Human fecal carriages of mcr-1-positive Escherichia coli (E. coli) were detected in many regions worldwide; however, only a few studies have focused on children. Therefore, we identified the prevalence and risk factors of mcr-1-positive E. coli in fecal carriages among community children in Southern Taiwan. In this study, 510 stool samples were collected from April 2016 to August 2019 from the pediatric department at a medical center in Southern Taiwan. These samples were collected within 3 days after admission and were all screened for the presence of the mcr-1 gene. Diet habits, travel history, pet contact, and medical history were also obtained from participants to analyze the risk factors of their fecal carriages to mcr-1-positive E. coli. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was determined using the VITEK 2 system and the broth microdilution test. Twelve mcr-1-positive E. coli. were isolated from 2.4% of the fecal samples. Through multivariate analysis, frequent chicken consumption (at least 3 times per week) had a significantly positive association with the presence of mcr-1-positive E. coli in fecal carriages (adjust odds ratio 6.60, 95% confidence interval1.58- 27.62, p = 0.033). Additionally, multidrug resistance was more common in mcr-1-positive E. coli. (75.0% vs. 39.5%, p = 0.031) than in non-mcr-1-positive Escherichia coli. Furthermore, the percentage of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli in mcr-1-positive isolates was 83.3%. Some multi-locus sequence types in our mcr-1-positive E. coli were also similar to those isolated from food animals in the literature. The prevalence of fecal carriages of mcr-1-positive E. coli was low among community children in Southern Taiwan. Our data shows that chicken consumption with a higher frequency increases the risk of mcr-1-positive E. coli. in fecal carriages.
Insights
The study found that frequent chicken consumption (≥3 times/week) is linked to a higher risk of carrying mcr-1 positive Escherichia coli (E. coli) in children. This resistance gene is associated with multidrug resistance in E. coli.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Colistin is a critical last-resort antibiotic for multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacterial infections.
- The plasmid-mediated colistin resistance gene, mcr-1, facilitates the spread of colistin resistance.
- Few studies have investigated mcr-1 in pediatric fecal carriage, particularly in Southern Taiwan.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of mcr-1 positive Escherichia coli (E. coli) in fecal samples from community children in Southern Taiwan.
- To identify risk factors associated with fecal carriage of mcr-1 positive E. coli in this pediatric population.
- To characterize the antimicrobial resistance and pathogenic potential of mcr-1 positive E. coli isolates.
Main Methods:
- Collected 510 stool samples from pediatric patients admitted to a medical center in Southern Taiwan.
- Screened samples for the presence of the mcr-1 gene using molecular methods.
- Conducted antimicrobial susceptibility testing (VITEK 2, broth microdilution) and analyzed diet, travel, pet contact, and medical history for risk factor assessment.
Main Results:
- Isolated mcr-1 positive E. coli from 2.4% (12/510) of fecal samples.
- Frequent chicken consumption (≥3 times/week) was significantly associated with mcr-1 positive E. coli carriage (aOR 6.60, p=0.033).
- Mcr-1 positive E. coli isolates exhibited higher rates of multidrug resistance (75.0% vs. 39.5%) and a higher prevalence of extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (83.3%) compared to non-mcr-1 isolates.
Conclusions:
- The prevalence of mcr-1 positive E. coli fecal carriage in community children in Southern Taiwan is low.
- High-frequency chicken consumption is a significant risk factor for carrying mcr-1 positive E. coli in children.
- The findings highlight the need for surveillance and potential interventions targeting food consumption patterns to mitigate the spread of colistin resistance in pediatric populations.
