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Updated: Jun 25, 2025
Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes
Published on: March 3, 2023
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Colonization by Multidrug-Resistant Microorganisms among Long-Term Travelers and
Víctor Monsálvez1, Paula Bierge2,3, María Luisa Machado1
1Infectious Diseases Department, Parc Taulí Hospital Universitari, Institut d'Investigació i Innovació Parc Taulí (I3PT-CERCA), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08208 Sabadell, Spain.
Abstract:
Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria have become one of the most important health problems. We aimed to assess whether international travel may facilitate their spread through the colonization of asymptomatic travelers. A cross-sectional study was conducted (November 2018 to February 2022). Pharyngeal and rectal swabs were obtained from long-term travelers and recently arrived migrants from non-European countries, and an epidemiological survey was performed. Colonization by Gram-negative bacteria and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was determined by chromogenic media and MALDI-TOF-MS. Resistance mechanisms were determined by the biochip-based molecular biology technique. Risk factors for colonization were assessed by logistic regression. In total, 122 participants were included: 59 (48.4%) recently arrived migrants and 63 (51.6%) long-term travelers. After their trip, 14 (11.5%) participants-5 (8.5%) migrants and 9 (14.3%) travelers-had rectal colonization by one MDR bacterium. Escherichia coli carrying the extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) CTX-M-15 was the most frequent. No participants were colonized by MRSA or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae. The only risk factor independently associated with MDR bacterial colonization was previous hospital attention [OR, 95% CI: 10.16 (2.06-50.06)]. The risk of colonization by MDR bacteria among recently arrived migrants and long-term travelers is similar in both groups and independently associated with previous hospital attention.
Insights
International travel can lead to colonization by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in travelers and migrants. Previous hospital attention is the primary risk factor for this colonization.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria pose a significant global health threat.
- International travel is a potential pathway for the dissemination of MDR bacteria.
- Asymptomatic colonization of travelers can facilitate bacterial spread.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the risk of MDR bacterial colonization in long-term travelers and recent migrants.
- To identify risk factors associated with MDR bacterial colonization in these populations.
- To investigate the role of international travel in the spread of MDR bacteria.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study conducted from November 2018 to February 2022.
- Collection of pharyngeal and rectal swabs from travelers and migrants.
- Identification of bacteria using chromogenic media and MALDI-TOF-MS, with resistance mechanisms determined by molecular biology techniques.
Main Results:
- 11.5% of participants (migrants and travelers) showed rectal colonization by an MDR bacterium.
- The most common isolate was extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing *Escherichia coli* (CTX-M-15).
- No colonization by MRSA or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae was detected.
Conclusions:
- The risk of MDR bacterial colonization is similar for migrants and long-term travelers.
- Previous hospital attention is the sole independent risk factor for MDR bacterial colonization.
- International travel, particularly in individuals with prior hospital exposure, warrants attention for MDR bacteria surveillance.
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