Colistin Resistance in Aquaculture Environment: An Emerging Challenge

The emergence of colistin resistance is one of the most serious future issues since it is a last-resort antibiotic used to treat infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacteria, particularly those resistant to carbapenems. The aquatic environment acts as a reservoir for the emergence and spread of colistin resistant pathogens. The emergence and transmission of a plasmid mediated mcr gene is one of the most important mechanism of colistin resistance in gram negative bacteria. Several mcr variants have been identified in zoonotic pathogens of aquatic origin that may easily transmit this gene to human pathogens. Currently, very few studies have been conducted to test colistin susceptibility in aquaculture associated bacteria. This may be attributed to a limited technical resource for screening colistin-resistant microorganisms. As a result, to reduce the emergence and spread of colistin resistance in human and animal health, as well as in the environment, the One Health strategy and laboratory methodologies must be expanded.