Heterogeneous resistance to colistin in Enterobacter cloacae complex due to a new small transmembrane protein

Background Enterobacter strains can display heterogeneous resistance (heteroresistance) to colistin but the mechanisms remain largely unknown. We investigated potential mechanisms of colistin heteroresistance in an Enterobacter clinical strain, WCHECl-1060, and found a new mechanism. Methods Strain WCHECl-1060 was subjected to WGS to identify known colistin resistance mechanisms. Tn5 insertional mutagenesis, gene knockout and complementation and...