Antibiotic Resistance Increases with Local Temperature. (4th October 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: MacFadden, Derek; McGough, Sarah; Fisman, David; Santillana, Mauricio; Brownstein, John
• Is Part Of: Open forum infectious diseases. Volume 4(2017)Supplement 1
• Page Start: S179
• Page End: S179
• Publication Date: 2017-10-04
• Subjects: Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; Medical microbiology -- Periodicals; Infection -- Periodicals; 616.9
• DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofx163.327
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2328-8957

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Antibiotic resistance is considered as one of our greatest emerging public health threats. Current understanding of the factors governing spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms and mechanisms among populations is limited. Methods: We explored the roles of local temperature, population density, and additional factors on the distribution of antibiotic resistance across the United States, using a database of regional antibiotic resistance that incorporates over 1.6 million bacterial pathogens from human clinical isolates over the years 2013–2015. Results: We identified that increasing local temperature as well as population density were associated with increasing antibiotic resistance in common pathogens. An increase in temperature of 10 o C was associated with increases in antibiotic resistance of 4.2%, 2.2%, and 3.6% for the common pathogens Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Staphylococcus aureus . The effect of temperature on antibiotic resistance was robust across almost all classes of antibiotics and pathogens and strengthened over time. Conclusion: These findings suggest that current forecasts of the burden of antibiotic resistance could be significant underestimates in the face of a growing population and warming planet. Disclosures: All authors: No reported disclosures.