1. Colonization dynamics of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales in the gut of Malawian adults
- Author
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Joseph M. Lewis, Madalitso Mphasa, Rachel Banda, Mathew A. Beale, Eva Heinz, Jane Mallewa, Christopher Jewell, Brian Faragher, Nicholas R. Thomson, and Nicholas A. Feasey
- Subjects
Microbiology (medical) ,Adult ,Bacteria ,Immunology ,Cell Biology ,Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology ,Microbiology ,beta-Lactamases ,Anti-Bacterial Agents ,Intestines ,Feces ,Genetics ,Humans ,Gammaproteobacteria - Abstract
Drug-resistant bacteria of the order Enterobacterales which produce extended-spectrum beta-lactamase enzymes (ESBL-Enterobacterales, ESBL-E) are global priority pathogens. Antimicrobial stewardship interventions proposed to curb their spread include shorter courses of antimicrobials to reduce selection pressure but individual-level acquisition and selection dynamics are poorly understood. We sampled stool of 425 adults (aged 16–76 years) in Blantyre, Malawi, over 6 months and used multistate modelling and whole-genome sequencing to understand colonization dynamics of ESBL-E. Models suggest a prolonged effect of antimicrobials such that truncating an antimicrobial course at 2 days has a limited effect in reducing colonization. Genomic analysis shows largely indistinguishable diversity of healthcare-associated and community-acquired isolates, hence some apparent acquisition of ESBL-E during hospitalization may instead represent selection from a patient’s microbiota by antimicrobial exposure. Our approach could help guide stewardship protocols; interventions that aim to review and truncate courses of unneeded antimicrobials may be of limited use in preventing ESBL-E colonization.
- Published
- 2021