Urinary lead level and colonization by antibiotic resistant bacteria: Evidence from a population-based study.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Health
• Microbiology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) pose a global health threat, with asymptomatic colonization increasing infection risk.
• Previous studies in nonhumans suggest heavy metal exposure may promote ARB, but human data is limited.
• This study investigates the link between lead (Pb) exposure and ARB colonization in a general human population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the association between urinary lead levels and ARB colonization in humans.
• To explore potential differences in this association based on geographic location (urban vs. non-urban).
• To examine the lead resistance of ARB isolates.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (2016-2017).
• Assessed exposure via urinary lead levels (adjusted for creatinine).
• Identified ARB colonization (MRSA, VRE, RGNB, C. diff) from various human samples and used logistic regression to analyze associations with lead exposure.

Main Results:

• Of 695 participants, 34% were colonized with ARB.
• Higher urinary lead levels were observed in ARB-positive participants.
• Elevated odds of ARB colonization were associated with higher lead exposure, especially in urban residents. Fluoroquinolone-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (RGNB) showed the highest lead resistance.

Conclusions:

• Lead exposure is associated with increased colonization by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in humans.
• Urban populations may be more susceptible to this association.
• Certain ARB, specifically RGNB, exhibit notable resistance to lead.