Emergence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance (mcr-1) among Enterobacteriaceae strains: Laboratory detection of resistance and measures to control its dissemination

Abstract

The increasing use of colistin has contributed to the emergence of resistant bacteria and to an increase in the frequency of infections caused by naturally resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains such as Proteus, Providencia, Morganella, and Serratia. In August 2016, the French High Council for Public Health (French acronym HCSP) received a request from the Ministry of Health on the advice of the French National Public Health agency (Santé publique France) with regard to measures that should be taken to tackle the emergence of plasmid-mediated colistin resistance among Enterobacteriaceae strains. French healthcare facilities were asked to take the necessary measures as soon as possible, such as updating the definition of emerging highly resistant bacteria and defining the identification methods so as to take account of the evolving epidemiology of this type of resistance. This article describes the epidemiological context of the discovery of this emergence in France and worldwide, the resistance mechanisms, the microbiological methods of routine laboratory detection and the level of hygiene measures to implement in French facilities.