Draft genome sequence of an mcr-1/IncI2-carrying multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli B1:ST101 isolated from meat and meat products in Egypt

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of plasmid-encoded colistin resistance among Gram-negative bacteria isolated from meat and meat products in Egypt and to report the draft genome sequence of anmcr-1/IncI2-carrying multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli B1:ST101 isolate. Methods: A total of 128 colistin-resistant strains were isolated from various meat and meat product samples in different cities in Egypt. Multiplex PCR screening for plasmid-mediated colistin resistance genes was performed. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using an Illumina NextSeq platform and the genome was assembled using CLC Genomics Workbench 7.5.1. Results: A singlemcr-1-positive MDR E. coli strain was isolated from beef sausages. The genome size of the E. coli strain was calculated at 5 044 715 bp, with a total of 226 contigs and a G + C content of 50.5%. The strain belonged to ST101 (phylogroup B1). The mcr-1 gene was located on an IncI2-type self-conjugative plasmid of 64.6 kb in size. The strain showed a MDR phenotype, with a colistin MIC of 4 mg/L. A large number of acquired antimicrobial resistance genes was identified, including genes encoding resistance to colistin (mcr-1), beta-lactams (bla(TEM-1)), phenicols (floR), trimethoprim (dfrA12), aminoglycosides [aac(3)-IIa, aph(3")-Ib and aadA2], macrolides (mphA and mdfA), tetracyclines (tetA), sulfonamides (sul1 and sul2) and quinolones (qnrS1). Conclusion: Here we report the first draft genome sequence of anmcr-1/IncI2-carrying MDR E. coli B1: ST101 isolated from beef sausage in Egypt. This study highlights the potential role played by food products in the spread of colistin resistance to humans. (C) 2019 International Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. Published by Elsevier Ltd.