Mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes and recent developments in colistin resistance detection

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Antimicrobial Resistance
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Colistin is a last-resort antibiotic, crucial for treating infections resistant to other drugs like carbapenems.
• The emergence and global spread of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes, encoding enzymes that modify bacterial cell walls, pose a significant threat.
• Horizontal gene transfer of mcr genes via plasmids facilitates their rapid dissemination among bacterial species.

Approach:

• This review synthesizes recent advancements in colistin resistance detection methodologies.
• It examines various alternative methods developed to overcome the limitations of traditional susceptibility testing.
• The focus is on practical and efficient screening techniques for colistin resistance.

Key Points:

• Colistin resistance, driven by mcr genes, complicates treatment options for multidrug-resistant infections.
• Standard colistin susceptibility testing methods, like broth microdilution, present technical difficulties.
• Newer detection methods are essential for effective surveillance and clinical management of colistin resistance.

Conclusions:

• Developing accessible and reliable methods for detecting colistin resistance is critical.
• Surveillance of mcr genes in the community is necessary due to their widespread nature.
• Advancements in detection techniques will aid in combating the threat of colistin resistance.