Colistin resistance of non-pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli occurring as natural intestinal flora in broiler chickens treated and not treated with colistin sulphate

Abstract

A significant threat to public health is presented by antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, selective pressure on which results from antibiotic use. Colistin is an antibiotic commonly used in veterinary medicine, but also one of last resort in human medicine. Since the 2015 discovery in China of the mcr-1 gene encoding colistin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae, other countries have noted its presence. This study was to find the mcr-1 gene prevalence in E. coli isolated from poultry slaughtered in Poland.

Keywords

• poultry
• escherichia coli
• antibiotic resistance
• colistin