Where antibiotic-resistant gut bacteria live in our communities

Community Reservoirs of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-producing and Multi-Drug Resistant Enterobacterales

NIH-funded research Emory University · NIH-11140484

Researchers will look for antibiotic-resistant Enterobacterales in people, animals, and the environment to help protect children and adults in affected neighborhoods.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionEmory University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Atlanta, United States)
Project IDNIH-11140484 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project will collect samples from people (including children and adults), household animals, and local environments in different Chicago neighborhoods to find antibiotic-resistant Enterobacterales. Scientists will use genetic testing to compare bacterial strains and antibiotic resistance genes from those samples to strains that cause community infections. By mapping where resistant bacteria and resistance genes are found and how they move between sources, the team aims to pinpoint likely reservoirs and transmission pathways. The work includes community recruitment, sample collection, lab sequencing, and multi-year data analysis.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: People of all ages who live in the Chicago neighborhoods included in the study, including children and adults willing to provide samples and health information, are the likely candidates.

Not a fit: People who do not live in the targeted communities or whose infections are caused by unrelated bacteria are unlikely to directly benefit from participating.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: Could help prevent community-acquired antibiotic-resistant infections by guiding targeted public health actions and reducing exposure risks.

How similar studies have performed: Previous work has found resistant Enterobacterales in animals and the environment, but directly linking those sources to human community infections remains largely unproven.

Where this research is happening

Atlanta, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.