Presence of Colistin Resistance mcr-4 Gene and Clinically Relevant Antimicrobial Resistance Genes in Sand Samples from a Public Beach.

The plasmid-borne mobilized colistin resistance genes (mcr-like) are related to resistance to polymyxins, which were reintroduced for the treatment of infections caused by multidrug-resistant pathogens. To analyze the presence of clinically relevant antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs), including mcr-like genes and plasmids in a beach, sand samples from a public beach were collected. Fifty-seven amplicons from 22 ARGs [mcr-4, bla_VIM, bla_CTX-M-Gp9, bla_PER, bla_CMY, qnrB, qnrS, oqxA, oqxB, sul1, sul2, sul3, floR, cmlA, tetA, tetB, tetC, aadA, ant(2″)-Ia, aph(3′)-Ib, aac(6′)-Ib, and mefAE] and 18 amplicons from seven plasmid families (IncF_repB, IncFIA, IncHI1, IncFIB, IncY, IncN, and ColE-like) were detected. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the mcr-4 gene in Brazil and the first report in the world of mcr-4 gene in a recreation area. This study calls attention to the presence of mcr-4 gene and contribute to the surveillance studies about the mcr-like genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]