Quantifying within-household transmission of ESBL-producing bacteria

Manon R Haverkate, Tamara N Platteel, A C Fluit, James W Cohen Stuart, Maurine A Leverstein-van Hall, Steven F T Thijsen, J. Scharringa, Fieke R C Kloosterman, Marc J M Bonten, Martin C J Bootsma

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Patients can acquire extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae during hospitalisation and colonised patients may transmit these bacteria after discharge, most likely to household contacts. In this study, ESBL transmission was quantified in households.

METHODS: Fecal samples were longitudinally collected from hospitalised patients colonised with ESBL-producing bacteria and from their household members during hospitalisation of the index patient and at 3, 6, 12, and 18 months. A mathematical household model was developed which allowed for person-to-person transmission, acquisition from other sources (background transmission), and losing carriage. Next, a deterministic population model with a household structure was created, informed by parameter values found in the household model.

RESULTS: 74 index patients and 84 household members were included. In more than half of the household members ESBL-producing bacteria were demonstrated at some time during follow up. Person-to-person transmission occurred at a rate of 0.0053/colonised person/day (0.0025-0.011), background transmission at 0.00015/day (95% CI 0.00002-0.00039), and decolonization at 0.0026/day (0.0016-0.0040) for index patients and 0.0090/day (0.0046-0.018) for household members. The estimated probability of transmission from an index patient to a household contact was 67% and 37% vice versa.

CONCLUSION: There is frequent transmission of ESBL-producing bacteria in households, which may contribute to the observed endemicity of ESBL carriage in the Netherlands. However, the population model suggests that there is not a single dominant acquisition route in the community.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)46.e1–46.e7
JournalClinical Microbiology and Infection
Volume23
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2017

Keywords

  • Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)
  • Within-household transmission
  • Enterobacteriaceae
  • Mathematical model
  • Colonisation

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