Complete genome sequence of Escherichia coli Antibiotic-Resistance Isolate AR Bank #0346

Authors: STUART, KEIRA - Animal And Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS); Bayles, Darrell; Shore, Sarah; Nicholson, Tracy

Submitted to: Microbiology Resource Announcements
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/15/2021
Publication Date: 6/1/2021
Citation: Stuart, K.L., Bayles, D.O., Shore, S., Nicholson, T.L. 2021. Complete genome sequence of Escherichia coli Antibiotic-Resistance Isolate AR Bank #0346. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 10(23). https://doi.org/10.1128/MRA.00305-21.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1128/MRA.00305-21

Interpretive Summary: Antimicrobial resistance is a rising challenge to public health worldwide. Colistin (polymyxin E) is a member of the polymyxin family of cationic polypeptide antibiotics, which is used as a last line of defense drug in the treatment of severe infections by multidrug-resistant (MDR) or extensively drug-resistant (XDR) bacteria. Specifically, colistin is used to treat extended spectrum ß-lactamase (ESBL) producing and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections. It has been used for decades, however, due to toxicity problems in humans, it is not the first antibiotic of choice, its usage reserved for treatment of infections resistant to first-line antibiotics. Colistin resistance was initially assumed to be chromosomally mediated and non-transmissible. However, a plasmid-mediated polymyxin resistance gene named mcr-1 has recently been reported. The investigators demonstrated that the plasmid harboring the mcr-1 gene was stable and readily transferable. Here, we report the generation of whole genome sequence data for Escherichia coli AR Bank # 0346 obtained from the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Antibiotic Resistance Isolate Bank, which exhibits resistance to colistin due to a plasmid-borne mcr-1 gene. This information can be directly used to develop diagnostic assays and investigate horizontal transfer mechanisms of antibiotic resistant mobile elements. This information is important to public health professionals, scientists, veterinarians, producers, and consumers.

Technical Abstract: Colistin is increasingly used as a last resort for the treatment of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative infections. Spread of the mcr-1 colistin resistance gene threatens the utility of this important antibiotic. Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the colistin-resistant Escherichia coli AR Bank # 0346 harboring a plasmid-borne mcr-1 gene.