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International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences (IJCMAS)
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Original Research Articles Volume : 15, Issue : 9, September, 2026

PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706
Issues : 12 per year
Publisher : Excellent Publishers
Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com
submit@ijcmas.com
Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash
Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39
NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38

Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci.2026.15(9) : 34-40
DOI : https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2026.1509.005


Emergence and Dissemination of mcr-Mediated Colistin Resistance in Food-Producing Animals

A. N. Radhika*, P. V. Kishor and Roshni
Department of Veterinary Public Health, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Mannuthy, Thrissur - 680 651, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Kerala, India
*Corresponding author
Abstract:

Colistin is a polypeptide cationic antibiotic with wide spectrum of activity against gram negative organisms especially bacteria of Enterobacteriaceae family. It was mainly used for multi-drug resistant gram-negative bacteria like Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Klebsiella pneumoniae. Due to its potential Neuro- and Nephrotoxicity these were replaced by less toxic compounds like gentamicin, fosfomycin and sulphonamides etc. Emergence of multidrug drug resitant bacterial infections led to the reconsideration of colistin use in humans. Colistin is widely used in veterinary for theraupetic, prophylactic and metaphylactic use. China is the largest consumer and producer of colistin in the world and it is mainly used in pigs and poultry production. Overuse and misuse of colistin as animal growth promoters and underdosing for prolonged time has led to the emergence of transferable colistin resistance. Most common gut bacteria of animals commonly acquire mobile colistin resistant (mcr) genes like E. coli, Salmonella, Klebsiella etc., these genes can be transferred horizontally between bacteria, which pose a threat to public health worldwide. This article reviews the use of colistin resistance in human and veterinary medicine along with global distribution and impact of colistin resistance on public health.


Keywords: Colistin resistance, mcr-1 gene, Plasmid-mediated transfer, Food-producing animals


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How to cite this article:

Radhika A. N., Kishor P. V. and Roshni. 2026. Emergence and Dissemination of mcr-Mediated Colistin Resistance in Food-Producing Animals Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 15(9): 34-40 doi: https://doi.org/10.20546/ijcmas.2026.1509.005
Copyright: This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license

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