The effect of first-line TB treatment on carbapenem-resistance in faecal Enterobacterales

Abstract

Carbapenems are used more regularly as empiric and targeted treatment options due to the emergence of resistant bacteria. There is an increased risk of mortality and treatment cost in cases where carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) have been isolated. This is due to the fact that the remaining therapeutic options are limited, potentially toxic, and expensive. Antibiotic use is a risk factor for colonisation with resistant bacteria such as CRE and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE). Tuberculosis (TB) treatment specifically has not been evaluated as a risk factor for CRE colonisation in the literature. This study aimed to determine whether patients receiving TB treatment are more likely to be colonised with CRE two weeks after treatment is commenced, by collecting a rectal swab before treatment commences, and again two weeks after first-line treatment started. Each collected swab was screened using culture CARBA-R screening plates and the results were evaluated.