There are many bacteria that naturally live in our gut and are essential for good health. These bacteria have a variety of helpful functions, such as aiding digestion, synthesizing vitamins, repressing the growth of harmful bacteria and defending against some diseases. The desirable bacteria that live in the gut are collectively known as 'gut flora', or more appropriately, as 'gut microbiota'. The less desirable resistant bacteria, however, can also be carried in a person's gut for prolonged periods of time and be found in the stools without causing illness. Persons that carry the resistant bacteria in the gut are known as "carriers" and they require no treatment. Knowing that a person carries resistant bacteria is helpful, because it will inform the choice of antibiotic if the person were to become unwell or had an intervention such as surgery in the future. There is some evidence that resistant bacteria found in the stools can sometimes be passed from one person to another and eventually make someone ill if they infect (invade) their body. The investigators do not know how often this may happen, or how much carrying resistant bacteria in the stools may facilitate the spread of resistant bacteria in the population. It is important to address these questions and study ways to stop the resistant bacteria from spreading to safeguard the efficacy of antibiotics.
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Transmission of resistant gram negative bacteria from index participants and network participants
Timeframe: 6 months
Length of Gut Carriage of resistant gram negative bacteria in index participants
Timeframe: 6 months