The impact of Host restriction of Escherichia Coli on Transmission dynamics and spread of antimicrobial Resistance

The increasing antibiotic resistance of Escherichia coli strains appears to coincide with the increased spread of certain strains. In order to investigate this observation, the interdisciplinary, multi-method collaborative project HECTOR combines the sequencing and analysis of the genomes of a large number of antibiotic-resistant E.coli isolates with the experimental examination of their colonization efficiency in an animal model of the infection. The aim is to identify sequence determinants which can be plasmid as well as chromosome coded and which are responsible for efficient colonization of the host. This data will then represent the basis of a mathematical model which is to be used to determine the potential risk of any sequenced strain of E.coli to cause disease.