Abstract
The convergence of high virulence and multidrug resistance (MDR) in Gram-negative pathogens circulating at the human-animal interface is a critical public health issue. We hereby report the genomic characteristics and virulent behavior of a colistin-resistant Escherichia coli, serotype ONT:H26, belonging to ST6395, isolated from a healthy broiler in Pakistan. This strain harbored multiple antimicrobial resistance genes, including mcr-1.1 and blaCARB-2, besides cma (colicin M) and astA [heat-stable enterotoxin 1 (EAST1) toxin] virulence genes. In vivo experiments carried out with the Galleria mellonella infection model revealed that MCR-1-positive E. coli ST6395 killed 96.4% of the larvae at 18 hour post-infection. Interplay between resistance and virulence in clinically important pathogens could be a potential threat, representing a serious challenge to global public health.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | ftz064 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| Journal | Pathogens and Disease |
| Volume | 77 |
| Issue number | 7 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2019 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Galleria mellonella
- poultry
- resistome; colistin resistance
- virulome
- WGS