A recent population-based study conducted by the University of Turku in Finland has shed light on the factors associated with the prevalence of antibiotic resistance. Apart from antibiotic use, the study found that diet, gender, living environment, income level, and specific gut bacteria play a role in the higher burden of resistance. The research revealed that a higher resistance burden was linked to a 40% increased risk of all-cause mortality during the follow-up period.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria pose a significant global health threat, causing over one million deaths annually, and the numbers continue to rise. The study highlighted that a high resistance burden can predict an increased risk of mortality, similar to elevated blood pressure or type 2 diabetes. The presence of antibiotic resistance genes in gut bacteria was found to be a predictor of the risk of sepsis or death over a long follow-up period of nearly two decades.
Collaborating internationally, a research team analyzed stool samples from over 7,000 individuals in Finland as part of the FINRISK population-based study. The study aimed to investigate the factors influencing the prevalence of antibiotic resistance genes and their association with sepsis and mortality over a 17-year follow-up period. The findings of the study have been published in the journal Nature Communications.
Lead author Katariina Pärnänen, an Academy Research Fellow by the Research Council of Finland, emphasized the significance of Finnish population studies in understanding the association of antibiotic resistance with population health over an extended period. The study highlighted the increasing prevalence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and the role of demographics and lifestyle in addressing this pressing issue.
The study identified antibiotic use as the primary factor contributing to the number of resistance genes, with long-lasting effects on the gut microbiota. Tetracycline resistance genes were the most common, and the use of tetracyclines showed the strongest association with resistance burden. Additionally, certain gut bacteria, such as Escherichia coli and Bacteroides linked to the western diet, were strongly associated with a higher resistance burden. Conversely, beneficial bacteria like bifidobacteria and Prevotella, associated with a fiber-rich diet, were linked to a lower resistance burden.
In addition to diet, social factors like gender, place of residence, and income level were also found to influence the resistance burden. Women, individuals living in large cities or densely populated areas, and those from high-income households exhibited a higher resistance burden. These findings were intriguing as factors predicting a higher resistance burden are typically associated with better health outcomes.
The study underscored the importance of resistance burden as a health indicator, predicting a 40% higher risk of all-cause mortality and more than double the risk of sepsis over the 17-year follow-up period. While the study does not establish causality, it suggests that the resistance burden could serve as an indicator of general health status.
Furthermore, the role of scientific computing in analyzing datasets generated by population research and DNA sequencing was highlighted. Professor Leo Lahti, who coordinated the study, emphasized the importance of machine learning and high-performance computing in addressing public health challenges. The study concluded that reducing antibiotic use at a population level is crucial in combating the burden of resistance, but individuals can also contribute by adopting preventive measures such as good hand hygiene, food hygiene, and a balanced diet to support gut health and reduce the spread of antibiotic resistance.
For those interested in delving deeper into the study, more information can be found in the publication in Nature Communications. The University of Turku provided this valuable research, showcasing the significance of collaborative efforts in addressing the critical issue of antibiotic resistance.
