Emergence of <i>mcr-1</i> in Raoultella ornithinolytica and Escherichia coli Isolates from Retail Vegetables in China

Abstract

The presence of <i>mcr-1</i> among <i>Enterobacteriaceae</i> isolates collected from retail vegetables in China between 2015 and 2016 was investigated. Two <i>Raoultella ornithinolytica</i> and seven <i>Escherichia coli</i> strains recovered from lettuce and tomato samples were identified as MCR-1-producers. Similar to isolates from animals and humans, the <i>mcr-1</i> gene was located on the IncHI2/ST3, IncI2, or IncX4 plasmids. The presence of MCR-1-producing organisms in ready-to-eat food samples represents a serious risk for human health.