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Mobilized colistin resistance (mcr) genes from 1 to 10: a comprehensive review

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Abstract

At the present time, the polymyxin antibiotic colistin is considered a last-line treatment option for severe human infections caused by multi-drug and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria. Lately, the vast spread of colistin resistance among bacteria has got great attention worldwide due to its significant role as the last refuge in treating diseases caused by the resistant infectious agents. Therefore, the discovery of plasmid-mediated mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes raised global public health concerns as they can spread by horizontal transfer and have chances of global dissemination. To date, ten slightly different variants of the mcr-1 gene (mcr-1 to mcr-10) have been identified in different bacteria isolated from animals, foods, farms, humans, and the environment. Therefore, the issue of mcr spread is growing and worsening day after day. In this backdrop, the current article presents an overview of mcr variants, their spread, and the resistance mechanisms they confer. Hence, this paper will advance our knowledge about colistin resistance while supporting the efforts toward better stewardship and proper usage of antimicrobials.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Mustansiriyah University (https://uomustansiriyah.edu.iq/)/Baghdad, Iraq, for its support to complete this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology, College of Science, Mustansiriyah University, Baghdad, 10244, Iraq

    Nadheema Hammood Hussein & Butheina Mohammed Taha

  2. Branch of Biotechnology, Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Mustansiriyah, Baghdad, 10244, Iraq

    Israa M. S. AL-Kadmy

  3. Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK

    Israa M. S. AL-Kadmy

  4. Ministry of Health, Baghdad, Iraq

    Jumaah Dakel Hussein

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  1. Nadheema Hammood Hussein
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  2. Israa M. S. AL-Kadmy
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  3. Butheina Mohammed Taha
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  4. Jumaah Dakel Hussein
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All authors contributed equally to the original draft preparation and writing of this article. All authors have read and agreed to the submitted version of the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Israa M. S. AL-Kadmy.

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Hussein, N.H., AL-Kadmy, I.M.S., Taha, B.M. et al. Mobilized colistin resistance (mcr) genes from 1 to 10: a comprehensive review. Mol Biol Rep 48, 2897–2907 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-021-06307-y

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