Within-household sharing of a fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli sequence type ST131 strain causing pediatric...

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Genetics

Background:

• Emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial strains poses a significant global health threat.
• Escherichia coli sequence type 131 (ST131) is a globally disseminated, MDR clonal group with increasing clinical significance.
• Invasive infections in children, particularly those caused by MDR pathogens, require further investigation.

Observation:

• A fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli strain belonging to the ST131 clonal group was identified.
• The ST131 strain caused severe septic arthritis and contiguous osteomyelitis in an 8-month-old girl.
• The same ST131 E. coli strain colonized the girl's healthy mother, who shared a different E. coli strain with the father.

Findings:

• This case demonstrates the invasive potential of the ST131 E. coli clonal group in an otherwise healthy child.
• The findings suggest that within-household transmission of MDR E. coli ST131 can occur between family members.
• The mother, despite being colonized, did not present with invasive disease, indicating varying host susceptibility.

Implications:

• Within-household transmission is a potential route for the dissemination of MDR E. coli ST131.
• Early identification and intervention are crucial for managing invasive infections caused by MDR pathogens in children.
• Further research is needed to understand the factors contributing to the invasive potential and transmission dynamics of E. coli ST131.