African spread of Colistin resistant Gm (-)

Polymyxin E–Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in Tunisia and Neighboring Countries: Are There Commonalities?

Universities and hospitals across northern Africa have just published a review of epidemiologic data noting that colistin & polymyxin E resistant bacteria are rapidly spreading across the region.  These bacteria are multiply resistant to most current antibiotics.  Of special note and concern are gram negative bacteria especially Enterobacteriaceae.  This spread occurs due to the sharing of plasmids in those strains that have acquired chromosomally mediated resistance.  Those types were noted to be mcr-1, mcr-2, mcr-3 and mcr-8.  Of concern is that these species have been noted in patients, animals, foodstuffs and healthy persons. The authors encourage the monitoring of these outbreaks in an effort to minimize the spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria.  Trana Discovery has developed a discovery platform that will identify novel bio-selective antibiotics to treat such resistant bacteria.

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