Gut bacteria linked to deadly bloodstream infections in African newborns

New research from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) has, for the first time in sub-Saharan Africa, shown that the bacteria causing bloodstream infections in newborns often originate in the gut. The discovery could pave the way for faster, less invasive diagnosis and improved prevention of life-threatening neonatal sepsis.

Bloodstream infections are a leading cause of hospitalisation and death in children under five, with newborns particularly vulnerable due to their immature immune systems. Until now, pinpointing the source of these infections has been challenging, limiting opportunities for early intervention.

The study [1], published in Communications Biology, compared the genomes of two major bacterial pathogens — Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae — isolated from both blood and faecal samples of Tanzanian newborns admitted with fever. The research, led by LSTM in collaboration with Tanzanian and Norwegian scientists, revealed that in most cases the bacteria were almost genetically identical, indicating that the same strain had migrated from the gut into the bloodstream. Alarmingly, some strains acquired antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes during this transition, highlighting a serious treatment challenge.

Dr Richard Goodman, lead author and Post-Doctoral Research Associate at LSTM, said: “Our findings confirm that the bacteria causing bloodstream infections are often genetically identical to those in the gut. Understanding the genetic markers behind this transition is key to designing interventions that protect the most vulnerable children.”

The results suggest stool samples could serve as an early warning system, allowing clinicians to identify infants at risk before sepsis develops. Dr Sabrina Moyo, co-author of the study, added: “Early detection of high-risk bacteria could save lives, especially in neonatal units with limited diagnostic resources.”

By revealing how gut microbes invade the bloodstream and sometimes acquire resistance, the study underscores the urgent need for improved surveillance, targeted antibiotics, and preventive strategies — crucial steps in reducing newborn deaths and slowing the spread of AMR.

More information online

1. Comparative genomics of blood and faecal E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates from neonates with bloodstream infections in Tanzania published in Communications Biology