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Updated: Sep 21, 2025

Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli
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Detection of Horizontal Gene Transfer Mediated by Natural Conjugative Plasmids in E. coli

Published on: March 24, 2023

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Horizontal transfer of a plasmid possessing mcr-1 marked with a single nucleotide mutation between Escherichia coli

Yoshimasa Yamamoto1, Ayano Higashi2, Kanoko Ikawa2

  • 1United Graduate School of Drug Discovery and Medical Information Sciences, Gifu University, Gifu, Japan. yyamamot@gifu-u.ac.jp.

BMC Research Notes
|June 6, 2022
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Community spread of colistin-resistant bacteria is a public health threat. This study provides direct genomic evidence of horizontal gene transfer of the colistin resistance gene (mcr) via plasmids among residents in a Vietnamese community.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Colistin resistance in bacteria is a growing global health concern.
  • Mobile colistin resistance genes, particularly mcr, are frequently found on plasmids, facilitating their spread.
  • Limited genotypic evidence exists for horizontal gene transfer of colistin resistance in community settings.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide direct genotypic evidence of horizontal colistin resistance gene transfer via plasmids in a community setting.
  • To investigate the dissemination of colistin-resistant Escherichia coli within households.

Main Methods:

  • Whole-genome sequencing of 19 colistin-resistant Escherichia coli isolates from stool specimens of 23 community residents.
  • Utilized a combination of DNBSEQ short-read and Nanopore long-read sequencing.
  • Genomic data analysis using Geneious software.

Main Results:

  • Identified similar IncP1 plasmids carrying the mcr-1.1 gene in isolates from two residents in different households.
  • The mcr-1.1 gene on the plasmids showed a single nucleotide mutation at the same position in these isolates.
  • Demonstrated direct horizontal transmission of the mcr gene among community residents.

Conclusions:

  • The study provides direct genomic evidence for plasmid-mediated horizontal transfer of colistin resistance genes within a community.
  • This finding highlights the importance of plasmids in the dissemination of antimicrobial resistance in community settings.
  • Understanding these transmission dynamics is crucial for public health interventions against colistin-resistant bacteria.
Keywords:
Colistin resistanceEscherichia coliHorizontal gene transfermcr

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