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Prevalence and Genomic Characterization of mcr-Positive Enterobacteriaceae in Retail Meat in Thailand Following the

Ahmed Abououf1, Sharda Prasad Awasthi2,3,4, Asmaa M Elbastawesy5

  • 1Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University, Osaka, Japan.

Microbiology and Immunology
|July 6, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Retail meat from open markets in Thailand harbors mcr-positive Enterobacteriaceae, indicating a potential transmission route. This highlights the need for enhanced antimicrobial resistance surveillance in meat products following colistin use restrictions.

Area of Science:

  • Veterinary Microbiology
  • Food Safety
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Colistin is crucial for treating multidrug-resistant infections.
  • Prophylactic colistin use in food-producing animals was banned in Thailand.
  • Enterobacteriaceae carrying mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes pose a significant public health threat.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence and characteristics of mcr-positive Enterobacteriaceae in Thai retail meat post-colistin ban.
  • To identify the types of mcr genes present and their associated bacterial species.
  • To assess the potential role of retail meat in the transmission of antimicrobial resistance.

Main Methods:

  • Collection of chicken and pork samples from Thai supermarkets and open markets.
  • Screening for mcr-1 to mcr-5 genes using multiplex PCR.
  • Isolation and identification of mcr-positive Enterobacteriaceae.
  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing and whole-genome sequencing of isolates.
  • Phylogenetic analysis to determine strain relatedness.

Main Results:

  • mcr genes were detected in 15.4% of chicken and 13.3% of pork samples from open markets, but not in supermarket samples.
  • mcr-1 and/or mcr-3 were the predominant genes identified.
  • Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae were the main species harboring mcr genes.
  • All mcr-positive isolates were multidrug-resistant.
  • A novel mcr-1 and mcr-8 co-harboring K. pneumoniae strain was identified.

Conclusions:

  • Retail meat from open markets in Thailand is a reservoir for mcr-positive Enterobacteriaceae.
  • Open markets represent a significant pathway for the dissemination of colistin resistance.
  • Systematic surveillance of retail meat is crucial for national antimicrobial resistance monitoring programs.
Keywords:
Thailandantimicrobial resistancecolistin banmcr‐genesretail meat

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