Intestinal Microbiota and Antimicrobial Resistance in Hong Kong Residents After Travel

Changes in Intestinal Microbiota and Acquisition of Antimicrobial Resistance in Hong Kong Residents After Travel

International travel is well reported to be associated with acquisition of multidrug-resistant organisms, however, the impact of colonization of these multidrug-resistant organisms is currently uncertain. As colonization of multidrug-resistant organisms had been demonstrated to be associated with distinct intestinal microbiota composition and travellers constitute a generally healthy population with minimal antibiotics exposure; by evaluating serial stool samples before and after travel, the investigators can delineate a potential causal relationship between host intestinal microbiota and subsequent risk of acquisition of multidrug-resistant organisms.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adults aged 18 years or above
• Chinese ethnicity
• Planning to visit any places outside of Hong Kong within the next three months
• Able to provide informed consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Use of antibiotics within 4 weeks prior to the time of recruitment (Except for antimalarial prophylaxis)
• Hospitalization within 3 months
• Underlying gastrointestinal diseases, including gastrointestinal malignancy, inflammatory bowel disease, resection of small or large bowel
• Pregnancy