Draft genome sequence of an mcr-1/IncI2-carrying multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli B1:ST101 isolated from meat and meat products in Egypt

The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence of plasmid-encoded colistin resistance among Gram-negative bacteria isolated from meat and meat products in Egypt and to report the draft genome sequence of anmcr-1/IncI2-carrying multidrug-resistant (MDR) Escherichia coli B1:ST101 isolate. A total of 128 colistin-resistant strains were isolated from various meat and meat product samples in different cities in Egypt. Multiplex PCR screening for plasmid-mediated colistin resistance genes was performed. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using an Illumina NextSeq platform and the genome was assembled using CLC Genomics Workbench 7.5.1. A singlemcr-1-positive MDR E. coli strain was isolated from beef sausages. The genome size of the E. coli strain was calculated at 5 044 715bp, with a total of 226 contigs and a G+C content of 50.5%. The strain belonged to ST101 (phylogroup B1). The mcr-1 gene was located on an IncI2-type self-conjugative plasmid of 64.6kb in size. The strain showed a MDR phenotype, with a colistin MIC of 4mg/L. A large number of acquired antimicrobial resistance genes was identified, including genes encoding resistance to colistin (mcr-1), β-lactams (blaTEM-1), phenicols (floR), trimethoprim (dfrA12), aminoglycosides [aac(3)-IIa, aph(3”)-Ib and aadA2], macrolides (mphA and mdfA), tetracyclines (tetA), sulfonamides (sul1 and sul2) and quinolones (qnrS1). Here we report the first draft genome sequence of anmcr-1/IncI2-carrying MDR E. coli B1:ST101 isolated from beef sausage in Egypt. This study highlights the potential role played by food products in the spread of colistin resistance to humans.