Age and Gender Influence on Antimicrobial Resistance in Bloodstream Infections

A recent study conducted across 29 European countries, involving nearly one million individuals, has identified a correlation between age, gender, and the likelihood of encountering antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bloodstream infections. The research, led by Gwenan Knight and her team from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in the UK, was published on March 14th in PLOS Medicine.

AMR poses a significant global public health challenge by rendering infections unresponsive to antibiotic treatments. Despite the known associations between antibiotic usage, immune system changes, and exposure to high-risk environments with age and gender, little was understood about how resistance prevalence varies based on these factors.

Analyzing data collected from routine surveillance between 2015 and 2019, the researchers examined bloodstream infections in over 944,000 individuals. By assessing the bacterial species isolated and the corresponding antibiotics used for treatment, distinct patterns in resistance prevalence by age were observed across Europe, varying among different bacterial species.

The study revealed that resistance peaks differed across age groups, with most bacteria showing peaks at the youngest and oldest ages. For instance, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) incidence increased with age, while aminopenicillin resistance in Escherichia coli decreased with age. Notably, resistance profiles for certain bacteria peaked during middle age, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa being most resistant to multiple antibiotics around 30 years of age, and E. coli bloodstream infections peaking between ages 15 and 40 for women. Additionally, men generally exhibited a higher risk of antimicrobial resistance compared to women.

The authors of the study emphasized the need to address the gaps in understanding the epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in relation to age and gender variations. They suggested the importance of tailored interventions to mitigate the burden of AMR, considering the significant differences in resistance prevalence observed across different demographic groups.

Highlighting the significance of their findings, the researchers emphasized the necessity of collecting data from diverse sources to comprehend the underlying factors contributing to the spread and selection of AMR globally. They underscored the urgency of addressing this escalating public health threat by investigating the role of cultural and natural history differences in driving resistance patterns.

For further details, the full study can be accessed at: http://journals.plos.org/plosmedicine/article?id=10.1371/journal.pmed.1004301