Long-term Risk of Infection Among Patients Colonized with Antimicrobial Resistant Pathogens: A Population-wide Cohort Study

A study in Ontario, Canada, investigated the risk of infection with antimicrobial resistant (AMR) pathogens after colonization detection. Over a 5-year period, 69,998 individuals tested positive for AMR pathogens, with 15.6% developing a sterile or non-sterile site infection within 57 days. Infection rates varied between organisms, with hospital-based tests increasing infection risk. The study highlights the importance of detecting colonization for infection control and empiric antibiotic selection, highlighting the need for effective infection control strategies.