Impact of ceftriaxone and temocillin on fecal abundance of extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Escherichia coli in a mouse model

BACKGROUND: Gut colonization by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) is widespread and is promoted by antibiotic exposure. Higher fecal abundance of ESBL-PE promotes the dissemination of the bacteria in the environment and is associated with increased risk of infection. Ceftriaxone and temocillin are commonly used antibiotics with a different activity on gut flora. Their impact on fecal abundance of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae has not been studied. The objective of this study was to compare the propensity of ceftriaxone and temocillin to modify the abundance of ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in feces of colonized mice. METHODS: Mice received broad-spectrum antibiotics in order to disrupt their normal gut flora. A CTX-M-type ESBL-producing E. coli clinical isolate was then administered orally, leading to durable colonization. Thirty days later, mice received either temocillin or ceftriaxone with drinking water at a concentration simulating human intestinal exposure. Third-generation-cephalosporin resistant (3GCR) E. coli were enumerated in feces on selective medium before, 2 days and 10 days after the end of antibiotic exposure. The experiment was performed with two E. coli isolates with different temocillin minimum inhibitory concentrations. RESULTS: Exposure to ceftriaxone induced an increase in the fecal abundance of 3GCR E. coli. In contrast, temocillin had no effect or transiently decreased the number of 3GCR E. coli. Results obtained with the two strains were similar. CONCLUSION: Contrary to ceftriaxone, temocillin does not promote expansion of ESBL-producing E. coli in feces of colonized mice. Thus temocillin may be a therapeutic of choice when a temocillin-susceptible strain infection is suspected or proven to prevent the expansion of ESBL-PE in a previously colonized patient.