Correlates of multi-drug non-susceptibility in enteric bacteria isolated from Kenyan children with acute diarrhea.

Reduced antimicrobial susceptibility threatens treatment efficacy in sub-Saharan Africa, where data on the burden and correlates of antibiotic resistance among enteric pathogens are limited.Fecal samples from children aged 6 mos-15 yrs presenting with acute diarrhea in western Kenya were cultured for bacterial pathogens. HIV-uninfected children with identified Shigella or Salmonella species or pathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC, ETEC, EAEC or EIEC) were included in this cross-sectional sub-study. Non-susceptibility to ampicillin, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, cotrimoxazole, and tetracycline was determined using MicroScan Walkaway40 Plus. Multivariable log-binomial regression was used to identify correlates of multi-drug non-susceptibility (MDNS, non-susceptibility to ≥ 3 of these antibiotics).Of 292 included children, median age was 22.5 mos. MDNS was identified in 62.5% of 318 isolates. Non-susceptibility to cotrimoxazole (92.8%), ampicillin (81.3%), and tetracycline (75.0%) was common. Young age (6-24 mos vs. 24-59 mos adjusted prevalence ratio [aPR] = 1.519 [95% confidence interval: 1.19, 1.91]), maternal HIV (aPR = 1.29 [1.01, 1.66]); and acute malnutrition (aPR = 1.28 [1.06, 1.55]) were associated with higher prevalence of MDNS, as were open defecation (aPR = 2.25 [1.13, 4.50]), household crowding (aPR = 1.29 [1.08, 1.53]) and infrequent caregiver hand-washing (aPR = 1.50 [1.15, 1.95]).Young age, HIV exposure, acute malnutrition and poor sanitation may increase risk of antibiotic non-susceptible enteric pathogen infections among children in Kenya

Impact of helminth diagnostic test performance on estimation of risk factors and outcomes in HIV-positive adults.

Traditional methods using microscopy for the detection of helminth infections have limited sensitivity. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays enhance detection of helminths, particularly low burden infections. However, differences in test performance may modify the ability to detect associations between helminth infection, risk factors, and sequelae. We compared these associations using microscopy and PCR.This cross-sectional study was nested within a randomized clinical trial conducted at 3 sites in Kenya. We performed microscopy and real-time multiplex PCR for the stool detection and quantification of Ascaris lumbricoides, Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale, Strongyloides stercoralis, and Schistosoma species. We utilized regression to evaluate associations between potential risk factors or outcomes and infection as detected by either method.Of 153 HIV-positive adults surveyed, 55(36.0%) and 20(13.1%) were positive for one or more helminth species by PCR and microscopy, respectively (p<0.001). PCR-detected infections were associated with farming (Prevalence Ratio 1.57, 95% CI: 1.02, 2.40), communal water source (PR 3.80, 95% CI: 1.01, 14.27), and no primary education (PR 1.54, 95% CI: 1.14, 2.33), whereas microscopy-detected infections were not associated with any risk factors under investigation. Microscopy-detected infections were associated with significantly lower hematocrit and hemoglobin (means of -3.56% and -0.77 g/dl) and a 48% higher risk of anemia (PR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.88) compared to uninfected. Such associations were absent for PCR-detected infections unless infection intensity was considered, Infections diagnosed with either method were associated with increased risk of eosinophilia (PCR PR 2.42, 95% CI: 1.02, 5.76; microscopy PR 2.92, 95% CI: 1.29, 6.60).Newer diagnostic methods, including PCR, improve the detection of helminth infections. This heightened sensitivity may improve the identification of risk factors for infection while reducing ability to discriminate infections associated with adverse clinical outcomes. Quantitative assays can be used to differentiate infection loads and discriminate infections associated with sequelae

Non-susceptibility patterns of <i>Shigella</i> spp., <i>Salmonella</i> spp., and select <i>E</i>. <i>Coli</i> strains isolated from study participants all Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., EPEC, ETEC, and EIEC isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone.

<p>All Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., and ETEC isolates were susceptible to ciprofloxacin.</p

Prevalence of multi-drug non-susceptibility (MDNS) by age group, stratified by pathogen.

<p>Prevalence of multi-drug non-susceptibility (MDNS) by age group, stratified by pathogen.</p

Correlates of multi-drug non-susceptibility (MDNS) in enteropathogens in Kenyan children 6 mos–15 yrs with acute diarrhea.

<p>Correlates of multi-drug non-susceptibility (MDNS) in enteropathogens in Kenyan children 6 mos–15 yrs with acute diarrhea.</p

Characteristics of children with and without multi-drug non-susceptible enteric infections.

<p>Characteristics of children with and without multi-drug non-susceptible enteric infections.</p

Specific pathogens identified in the 26 children who had more than one pathogen of interest identified in the same stool sample.

<p>Specific pathogens identified in the 26 children who had more than one pathogen of interest identified in the same stool sample.</p

Study flow diagram.

<p>Study flow diagram.</p