Intestinal Colonization of Multidrug-Resistant Organisms: Identification and Antibiotic Susceptibility Patterns of Bacteria Isolated From Healthy Human Fecal Specimens.

Introduction Intestinal carriage of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in healthy populations could amplify resistant bacteria, which may increase the risk of infections by these bacteria in the community and in the hospital. This study investigated the prevalence of colonization of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in the intestines of healthy individuals in South India. Methods A prospective study was conducted for six months at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Two hundred and fifty-five fecal samples collected from healthy individuals were processed according to standard microbiological guidelines. The bacteria (n=291) isolated from the samples were identified and evaluated using phenotypic detection methods for the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), AmpC β-lactamase, carbapenemase, methicillin resistance, and vancomycin resistance. Results The prevalence of intestinal carriage of MDR bacteria in healthy populations was 57.04% (166/291). Klebsiella (81.92%; 68/83) was the most resistant bacterial isolate among the tested organisms. ESBL, AmpC β-lactamase, carbapenemase, and methicillin resistance rates were 34.70% (101/291), 12.37% (36/291), 7.90% (23/291), and 2.06% (6/291), respectively. Both ESBL and AmpC β-lactamase co-producing strains were 3.78% (11/291). Vancomycin resistance was not revealed among the sampled isolates. Conclusion The study revealed a high carriage rate of MDROs colonized in the intestines of healthy adults in the community. These results highlight the importance of identifying resistant pathogens through regular surveillance thereby understanding their epidemiology.