Phenotypic Detection of Mobilized Colistin Resistance Among Clinical Isolates in University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria

Background: Mobilized colistin resistance (MCR) is a public health problem resulting in limited therapeutic options. Objective: This study aims to phenotypically detect mobilized colistin resistance (MCR)-mediated resistance in a setting where colistin is not used. Method: The combined disk test (CDT) technique and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) were used to screen a total of 238 isolates for the existence of MCR producers. Results: Of the 238 isolates, 47 (19.75%) were CDT positive, and 37 out of the 47 had MIC >2mg/L and were referred to as MCR producers. Age, gender, type of specimen and the wards/clinics the isolates were recovered from did not significantly affect the prevalence of MCR producers (p>0.05). Type of isolate significantly (p=0.0184) affected the prevalence of MCR producers. Conclusion: This study underscores a high prevalence [15.55% (37/238)] of phenotypically detected MCR-mediated colistin resistance in a resource-poor setting were colistin is not used.