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MCR-1 gene found in the US
Petri dish culture plates growing bacteria in the presence of discs containing various antibiotics
This 2014 image shows a CDC microbiologist holding up two petri dish culture plates growing bacteria in the presence of discs containing various antibiotics.

Discovery prompts fear of pan-resistant bacteria

Bacteria carrying the MCR-1 gene, which makes bacteria resistant to the last-resort antibiotic colistin, has been found in a US patient for the first time. The discovery has fuelled fears that a pan-resistant bacteria could develop.

The 49-year-old woman from Pennsylvania had no recent history of travel. She presented at a health clinic in April with symptoms of a urinary tract infection, according to a report in the journal Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy.  
 
E. coli bacteria carrying the MCR-1 gene was found in a urine sample. Researchers wrote: 'To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of MCR-1 in the USA'.

Colistin is one of the last defence antibiotics used to treat patients with multi-drug-resistant infections. The MCR-1 gene was first detected in China last year and has since been found in the EU.

Health officials are now working together to trace the patient's contacts and determine whether they are at risk.

While the bacteria identified was not pan-resistant, the presence of the gene is concerning as it raises the risk that pan-resistant bacteria could develop. The MCR-1 gene exists on a plasmid, or a small piece of DNA, that can move from one bacterium to another, spreading antibiotic resistance between bacterial species.

Moving forward, the researchers say further testing is critical to determine the gene's true prevalence in the US.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is part of a public health response to the discovery of MCR-1.

From autumn this year, its Antibiotic Resistance Lab Network will provide for seven to eight regional labs, as well as labs in all states and seven major cities and territories. These will detect and respond to resistant organisms found in human samples.

State labs will also detect new forms of resistance, including mutations allowing bacteria to survive last resort drugs.

Image © James Gathany/CDC

 

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Defra shares new Sanitary and Phytosanitary guidance

News Story 1
 Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.

The agreement, which will change the movement and trade of animals and related products, could see reductions in checks, paperwork and certification. As well as describing regulatory developments, the advice highlights the importance of animal ID, registration and traceability in disease control and other compliance arrangements.

The guidance can be found here. More detail is expected as negotiations progress. 

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News Shorts
New form for online veterinary medicines retailers

The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) has produced a new online form for retailers wishing to sell veterinary medicines on the internet.

The form replace the previous Word version and is part of the VMD's ongoing commitment to digitise its processes. Anyone retailing prescription medicines online, including POM-V, POM-VPS and NFA-VPS categories, is lawfully required to register with the VMD before trading.

The change only applies to new applicants. Retailers already listed on the VMD's Register of Online Retailers or registered under the Accredited Internet Retailer Scheme (AIRS) do not need to do anything.