Uropathogenic Escherichia coli population structure and antimicrobial susceptibility in Norfolk, UK.

BACKGROUND: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a frequent cause for visits to primary care providers. In alignment globally, uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) are the main aetiological agent for UTIs in Norfolk and are increasingly difficult to treat due to multi-drug resistance. OBJECTIVES: We set out to identify which clonal groups and resistance genes are disseminating in the community and hospitals in Norfolk, the first study of its kind for UPEC in this region. METHODS: We collected 199 clinical E. coli isolates causing UTIs in the community and hospital from the Clinical Microbiology laboratory at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital between August 2021 and January 2022. These were whole-genome sequenced using the Illumina and MinION platforms for in silico MLST and antibiotic resistance determinant detection. RESULTS: The isolates were composed of 70 STs; 8 lineages represented 56.7% of this population: ST73, ST12, ST69, ST131, ST404, ST95, ST127 and ST1193. Importantly, primary UTI screening deemed 6.5% of isolates to be multidrug resistant (MDR), with high rates of resistance to ampicillin (52.1%) and trimethoprim (36.2%) in hospitals. Of concern is the probable clonal expansion of MDR groups ST131 and ST1193 in hospitals and community settings with chromosomally encoded blaCTX-M-15, blaOXA-1 and aac(6')-Ib-cr5. CONCLUSIONS: The burden of reported UTIs in Norfolk is largely caused by non-MDR isolates and mirrors similar UPEC studies nationally and internationally. Continually monitoring samples with consideration of sources will help reduce burden of disease.

Bifidobacterium bacteraemia is rare with routine probiotics use in preterm infants: A further case report with literature review.

Prophylactic administration of oral probiotics is associated with significant reductions in the morbidity and mortality of necrotising enterocolitis in preterm infants. We document the first case of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. infantis sub-clinical bacteraemia, in an extremely low birth weight preterm infant, since introduction of routine probiotic treatment at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital 10 years ago. Whole genome comparisons confirmed the isolated strain likely originated from the probiotic product.