Dietary and water restriction leads to increased susceptibility to antimicrobial resistant pathogens

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Dehydration and malnutrition are prevalent in hospitals and often overlooked.
• Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections cause substantial mortality in nosocomial patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of temporal dietary and water restriction (DWR) on susceptibility to multidrug-resistant pathogens.
• To elucidate the mechanisms by which DWR affects host defense against bacterial infections.

Main Methods:

• A murine bloodstream model of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infection was utilized.
• Assessment of mortality, morbidity, bacterial burden, kidney pathology, and phagocyte function (macrophages) was performed.

Main Results:

• DWR significantly increased mortality and morbidity in mice infected with S. aureus.
• DWR led to increased bacterial burden and severe kidney pathology, with altered phagocyte function.
• Impaired macrophage phagocytosis of bacteria and efferocytosis of neutrophils was observed under DWR conditions.

Conclusions:

• Temporal dietary and water restriction compromises the immune system's ability to combat bacterial infections.
• Maintaining adequate hydration and nutrition is critical for preventing severe outcomes from multidrug-resistant pathogens.