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Early Bacterial Colonization and Antibiotic Resistance Gene Acquisition in Newborns

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eMediNexus    06 February 2021

The pioneer bacterial colonization and the extent of its associated antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) dissemination during this early phase of life are largely unknown.

A new article published in Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology investigated the gut-, the oral-, and the skin-microbiota of neonates within the first 72 hours after birth using 16S rDNA sequencing approaches. Additionally, neonates and their mothers were screened for the presence of 20 different ARGs by directed TaqMan qPCR assays.

Here, the taxonomic analysis of the newborn samples revealed an important shift of the microbiota during the first 72 hours after birth, showing a clear site-specific colonization pattern in this very early time frame. Furthermore, a substantial acquisition of ARGs was reported during postpartum hospitalization – with a very high incidence of macrolide resistance determinants and mecA detection across different body sites of the newborns.

The present study underscored the importance of antibiotic resistance determinant dissemination in neonates during hospitalization, and the need to investigate the role of the mothers and the hospital environment as potential sources of ARGs.

Source: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 2020 Jul 10;10:332. doi:10.3389/fcimb.2020.00332.

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