The Emergence of MCR-1, the Bacteria Super-Gene

Abstract

In the case of infections, physicians rely on a certain class of antibiotic known as colistin in order to eliminate infections in which the typical antibiotics have no effect. New research has surfaced claiming that a strain of E coli was found including a gene known as MCR-1, this gene is believed to be completely immune to the effects of colistin. Research has also found that the gene isn’t a mutation, in fact, it is believed to be able to transfer from one strain to another. So far the reach of this gene isn’t too large, however, given the right pathways researchers believe it could spread and cause detrimental effects to the medical field. If a gene that makes bacteria resistant to the strongest antibiotic used finds its way into too many strains, we could be facing a time where physicians no longer have a treatment for infections.