article · Communications Biology
Bloodstream infections are a leading cause of illness and death among young children in sub-Saharan Africa, frequently caused by Gram-negative bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli. Although these bacteria typically colonise the gastrointestinal tract, the gut can act as a reservoir for invasive diseases. Using comparative genomics, hybrid genome assemblies of blood and faecal bacterial samples collected from neonates under 19 days old were compared. The analysis identified multiple pairs of highly related bacteria from both sites within individual patients, indicating that bacteria translocated from the gut into the bloodstream. Additionally, specific virulence genes and acquired mutations linked to invasive strains were identified. These insights into pathogen biology and transmission within newborn patients could inform targeted clinical interventions designed to prevent neonatal bloodstream infections.
Bloodstream infections present a serious threat to newborn survival in sub-Saharan Africa. By demonstrating that gut bacteria can migrate into the bloodstream and identifying the specific genetic features that enable this invasion, this research provides crucial biological knowledge. This understanding is essential for designing effective preventative strategies and reducing hospitalisation and mortality in vulnerable newborn populations.
This early-stage research provides genomic insights and virulence markers that could inform diagnostic developers and healthcare researchers working on targeted preventative interventions for neonatal infections. However, the abstract does not indicate a direct application pathway or specific commercial product.
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Bloodstream infections (BSIs) are a major cause of hospitalisation and death for children under the age of five in sub-Saharan Africa, with Gram-negative bacteria such as Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli among the most common causative agents. These bacteria usually colonise the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract, which has been identified as a reservoir for invasive infections into extra-intestinal environments such as the urinary tract and bloodstream. In this study we used comparative genomics to compare hybrid genome assemblies of blood and faecal bacterial isolates taken from the same patients (all neonates under 19 days old) to determine if the BSI associated isolates and the GI tract associated isolates were related. Multiple pairs of highly related E. coli and K. pneumoniae were found, suggesting that translocation between the GI tract and the bloodstream occurred in multiple cases of BSI. We also highlight key virulence genes and acquired mutations that are indicative of pathogenic strains capable of BSI. These findings expand our understanding of the Gram-negative bacteria involved in BSI pathogenicity and could help guide targeted interventions to prevent future BSI infections in neonates.
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DOI: 10.1038/s42003-025-09008-5
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