Antibiotic Resistance and Microbiome in Children Aged 6-59 Months in Nouna, Burkina Faso

Antibiotic Resistance and Microbiome in Children Aged 6-59 Months in Nouna, Burkina Faso

The use of antibiotics has saved millions of human lives, however consumption of antibiotics can select for antibiotic resistant organisms and may lead to changes in commensal microbiome. This study is designed to estimate the effect of antibiotic consumption on microbiome in a rural region of rural Burkina Faso. Changes in the intestinal and nasopharyngeal microbiome and resistome following a short course of antibiotics will be measured.

This study is designed to better understand the effect of a short course of antibiotics on changes in intestinal and nasopharyngeal microbiome on treated children and untreated household contacts. The investigators hypothesize that a short course of antibiotics will lead to decreased bacterial diversity shortly after completion of the antibiotic course, and higher probability of identification of bacterial resistance genes in rectal and nasopharyngeal samples. The investigators hypothesize that a 5-day course of antibiotics (azithromycin, amoxicillin, or co-trimoxazole) will lead to significantly decreased intestinal and nasopharyngeal bacterial diversity among children aged 6-59 months.

Specific Aim 1. Determine the effect of treatment with antibiotics on microbiome diversity in children aged 6-59 months following a 5-day course of antibiotics.

Specific Aim 1A. Determine the direct effect of a 5-day course of azithromycin, amoxicillin, or co-trimoxazole on intestinal and nasopharyngeal bacterial diversity in children aged 6-59 months compared to no treatment.

Specific Aim 1B. Determine the indirect effect of antibiotic treatment of children in a household on intestinal and nasopharyngeal bacterial diversity in an untreated child aged 6-59 months.

Specific Aim 1C. Assess the association between intestinal bacterial diversity and anthropometry in a population-based sample of children.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Households will be eligible for inclusion in the study if they have 2 or more children aged 6 months to 59 months currently residing in the household. Children from the household will be eligible if they are 6-59 months of age and are not currently receiving antibiotic treatment

Exclusion Criteria:

• Children who are allergic to any of the study antibiotics will be excluded. Individuals aged under 6 months and 5 years or older will be excluded. Children already receiving antibiotics for an ongoing disease will be excluded.