title: Exploratory Spatial Mapping of the Occurrence of Antimicrobial Resistance in E. coli in the Community.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. Sandra.galvin@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Galvin
authors.affiliation: Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. n.bergin2@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: Niall
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bergin
authors.affiliation: GIS Centre, Ryan Institute, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. ronan.hennessy@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: Ronan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hennessy
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland. Belinda.hanahoe@hse.ie.
authors.forename: Belinda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hanahoe
authors.affiliation: Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. andrew.murphy@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: Andrew W
authors.initials: AW
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland. Martin.cormican@nuigalway.ie.|Discipline of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. Martin.cormican@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cormican
authors.affiliation: Discipline of General Practice, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. akke.vellinga@nuigalway.ie.|Discipline of Bacteriology, School of Medicine, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland. akke.vellinga@nuigalway.ie.
authors.forename: Akke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vellinga
keywords: antibiotic resistance profiles; geographical information systems; mapping; routine surveillance; spatial analysis