Exploratory Spatial Mapping of the Occurrence of Antimicrobial Resistance in E. coli in the Community

Antibiotics

Sandra Galvin³  Niall Bergin³  Ronan Hennessy²  Belinda Hanahoe¹  Andrew W. Murphy³  Martin Cormican¹ 

[1] Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland; E-Mails:;GIS Centre, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland; E-Mail:;Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland; E-Mails:

关键词: geographical information systems;    mapping;    spatial analysis;    antibiotic resistance profiles;    routine surveillance;   

DOI  :  10.3390/antibiotics2030328

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

The use of antimicrobials over the past six decades has been associated with the emergence and dissemination of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. To explore local geographical patterns in the occurrence of acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR), AMR of E. coli causing urinary tract infections (UTI) in the community in the West of Ireland was mapped. All adult patients consulting with a suspected UTI in 22 general practices in the West of Ireland over a nine-month study period were requested to supply a urine sample. Those with a laboratory confirmed E. coli infection were included (n = 752) in the study. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed by standardized disc diffusion. Patient addresses were geocoded. The diameters of the zone of inhibition of growth for trimethoprim (5 μg) and ciprofloxacin (5 μg) for the relevant isolate was mapped against the patient address using ArcGIS software. A series of maps illustrating spatial distribution of AMR in the West of Ireland were generated. The spatial data demonstrated a higher proportion of isolates with AMR from urban areas. Some rural areas also showed high levels of resistant E. coli. Our study is the first to demonstrate the feasibility of using a geographical information system (GIS) platform for routine visual geographical analysis of AMR data in Ireland. Routine presentation of AMR data in this format may be valuable in understanding AMR trends at a local level.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2013 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.