Publications by authors named "Laura Cowden"
Lack of laboratory capacity hampers consistent national antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance. Chromogenic media may provide a practical screening tool for detection of individuals colonized by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms. CHROMagar ESBL media represent an adequate screening method for the detection of extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant (ESCrE), isolated from rectal swabs.
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- The study investigates the prevalence and risk factors for extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCrE) colonization in Botswana, focusing on low- and middle-income countries where data is limited.
- Participants included 2000 individuals, with data collected on demographics, health background, and potential exposure risks.
- Key risk factors identified for ESCrE colonization were healthcare exposure, foreign travel, livestock contact, and having a household member already colonized, emphasizing the need to develop effective strategies for reducing antibiotic resistance.
Objectives: Although extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (ESCrE) and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) are a global challenge, data on these organisms in low- and middle-income countries are limited. In this study, we sought to characterize colonization data critical for greater antibiotic resistance surveillance efforts.
Methods: This study was conducted in three hospitals and six clinics in Botswana.