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Updated: Jun 24, 2026
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Colonization with Murine pks+ Escherichia coli under Non-Inflammatory Conditions
Published on: March 10, 2026
Colonization with multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria: prolonged duration and frequent cocolonization
Erin O'Fallon1, Shiva Gautam, Erika M C D'Agata
1Hebrew Senior Life Institute for Aging Research, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA.
Summary
Multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDRGNB) colonization in patients is prolonged, often involving multiple species. Multidrug-resistant Proteus mirabilis shows longer persistence in the gut compared to other MDRGNB.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Gastrointestinal tract colonization by multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDRGNB) characteristics are not well-defined.
- Understanding colonization duration, clearance rates, and co-colonization is crucial for developing targeted interventions.
- Preventing the spread of MDRGNB is a significant public health concern.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the duration and clearance of gastrointestinal colonization with multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria (MDRGNB).
- To investigate the frequency of co-colonization with multiple MDRGNB species.
- To identify factors influencing MDRGNB colonization clearance.
Main Methods:
- Serial rectal cultures were collected every 3-4 weeks from long-term care facility residents over one year.
- Colonization clearance was defined as two or more consecutive negative cultures for MDRGNB.
- Time-to-event analysis was used to determine factors associated with colonization clearance.
Main Results:
- 33 patients with 57 MDRGNB isolates were followed; 61% were colonized with multiple MDRGNB species.
- The median duration of MDRGNB colonization was 144 days; only 9% cleared all strains.
- Clearance of multidrug-resistant Proteus mirabilis was significantly lower (6.7%) compared to other MDRGNB (50%).
Conclusions:
- Gastrointestinal colonization with MDRGNB is prolonged and frequently involves multiple species.
- Multidrug-resistant Proteus mirabilis demonstrates enhanced survival in the gastrointestinal tract compared to other MDRGNB.
- These findings highlight the challenges in MDRGNB eradication and inform strategies for infection control.
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