Reduced Susceptibility to Cefiderocol Among Clinical MCR-1-Producing Escherichia coli Isolates from Tunisia.

Background/

Objectives

The emergence of plasmid-mediated mcr genes has enabled horizontal dissemination of resistance to colistin, a last-resort antibiotic against multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales. In Tunisia, genomic data on mcr-positive Escherichia coli are still limited. This study reports the genomic characterization of human clinical mcr-positive E. coli isolates from the Military Hospital of Tunis.

Methods

Between August 2023 and March 2025, seven E. coli isolates with low-level colistin-resistance (MIC = 4-8 µg/mL) were collected from six patients. They were characterized by antibiotic susceptibility testing and WGS to determine resistome, MLST, genetic relatedness, and plasmid content.

Results

The E. coli isolates belonged to diverse sequence types (STs), except for two isolates collected from the same patient 2.5 months apart, which were highly related. Overall, this pattern is consistent with a polyclonal spread. The mcr-1.1 gene was located on IncI2 (n = 5) or IncX4 (n = 2) plasmids, which exhibited high similarity both among themselves and in comparison with plasmids previously reported in human and livestock isolates. Most isolates were multidrug-resistant, harboring acquired resistance genes to multiple antibiotic classes, and chromosomal mutations conferring fluoroquinolone resistance. Three isolates additionally carried chromosomal insertions of the blaCTX-M-55 gene. Resistance to cefiderocol was observed in one isolate and was associated with CirA and Fiu truncation.

Conclusions

These findings highlight ongoing dissemination of mcr-1.1-positive E. coli isolates in Tunisia, primarily driven by plasmid transfer. Continuous genomic surveillance and One Health-oriented antibiotic stewardship are essential to limit the spread of colistin-resistance and the emergence of resistance to newer agents such as cefiderocol.