Risk factors for fecal colonization with trimethoprim-resistant and multiresistant Escherichia coli among children in day-care centers in Houston, Texas.
In a previous study, we found fecal colonization with multiresistant Escherichia coli exhibiting high-level trimethoprim resistance in 19% of diapered children attending six day-care centers in Houston, Tex. To examine the potential risk factors associated with this finding, we conducted cross-sectional studies among 203 children attending 12 day-care centers, 51 children attending a well-child clinic (controls), and 64 medical students. The prevalence of fecal colonization with trimethoprim-resistant E. coli among children attending day-care centers (30%) was higher (P less than 0.001) than among control children (6%) or medical students (8%). The prevalence of colonization among the children attending the 12 centers ranged from 0 to 59% and was correlated with the number of diapered children enrolled (r = 0.73; P less than 0.01). In a case control study among the day-care center children, significant risk factors were an age of less than 12 months and attendance at a center with an enrollment of over 40 diapered children (odds ratios of 2.2 and 3.5, respectively); ethnicity, duration of attendance, and prior antibiotic administration were not associated with colonization. Plasmid analysis of 60 of the day-care center strains revealed 22 profiles, each of which was unique to a given day-care center. Transmission and carriage of trimethoprim-resistant strains for as long as 6 months was documented in one center studied on three occasions. Given the documented transmission of enteric pathogens among diapered children attending day-care centers and their spread into family members, it is likely that day-care centers are an important community reservoir of plasmid-associated antibiotic-resistant E. coli.
Reves
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RR
Department of Medicine, University of Texas Medical School, Houston 77030.
Fong
M
M
Pickering
L K
LK
Bartlett
A
A
Alvarez
M
M
Murray
B E
BE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002656:Child Day Care Centers; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000235:genetics; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005006:Ethnicity; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007224:Infant Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D010957:Plasmids; D012307:Risk Factors; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014296:Trimethoprim Resistance