Colistin resistant bacteria found in mothers and newborn babies in Nigeria

The identification of diverse mcr genes in newborn babies and mothers is concerning as it suggests the use of colistin in agriculture as opposed to in clinical settings may have maintained colistin resistance in the local community. The researchers tested these for the presence of mobile colistin resistance (mcr) genes, which confer bacterial resistance to colistin. However, although surveillance for colistin resistance has become widespread across Europe and North America, there has been a lack of information about the prevalence of colistin resistance in African countries. Co-author, Dr Kenneth C. Iregbu, National Hospital AbujaTargeted surveillance of colistin resistance is vital to understand how people are acquiring colistin-resistant bacteria. This is particularly important in vulnerable groups such as newborn babies.