Do people pass on ESBL infections to others in their household?
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A pilot study into transmission of antibiotic resistance in the community: Understanding the transmission of antibiotic resistant infections: Do people pass on ESBL infections to others in their household?
IRAS ID
135267
Contact name
Timothy Kemp
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Research summary
Serious infections caused by bacteria have become increasingly difficult to treat over recent years due to the development of resistance to antibiotics. Factors that have contributed to antibiotic resistance include overuse of antibiotics, transmission of resistant bacteria in healthcare facilities, use of antibiotics by the veterinary profession leading to resistant bacteria being present in food, and transmission of resistance genes from one type of bacteria to another.
Restricted antibiotic use and improved infection control practice in healthcare institutions has reduced the incidence of the best known resistant infection MRSA. There are, however, other types of resistant bacteria known as Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamases (ESBLs) which continue to increase and now appear to be transmitted in the community at least as commonly as in health care facilities. Healthy people can carry ESBL positive-bacteria in the gut without becoming unwell.
The transmission of ESBL in the community is of great concern to the NHS, particularly because of the current policy of treating patients in the community rather than in hospital where possible, including treating serious infections. Little is currently known about how ESBL is transmitted. This pilot project aims to establish methods to look for evidence of transmission of ESBL-positive bacteria from patients to their household contacts, and to collect preliminary information to try to explain why this occurs. A PPI work-stream is planned to address the issue of acceptability of screening for ESBL positive bacteria.
Currently there are limited options available to eradicate ESBL-positive-bacteria carried in the gut of either patients or healthy carriers so our project includes a literature review to look at options for intervention. When the project has been set up and preliminary data obtained we will hold a stakeholder workshop to plan an application in response to the expected NIHR call for projects on antimicrobial resistance.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - Bradford Leeds Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/0079
Date of REC Opinion
8 May 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion