Enteric Pathogens and Post-discharge Outcomes among Children in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia (The EPPO-SASA Study)

Intestinal pathogens are a major cause of serious illness among children. Hospitalised children may acquire carriage of new pathogens from the hospital environment. We have observed a high rate of post-discharge death and hospital readmission in low-and middle-income countries. Pathogens present during discharge from hospital may increase risk of readmission and may be more difficult to treat than purely community-acquired organisms. I aim to determine whether specific intestinal pathogens and the overall population of microorganisms (microbiome) in the gut during hospital discharge, when children are judged to be clinically well, are associated with readmission. I will utilise samples stored from a major international study and technologies that can identify nucleic acids of pathogens in faecal samples. My study findings may help establish the need for treatment intervention post-discharge among children, improvement of diagnostic methods in hospitals, creation of awareness on antimicrobial resistance and changes to the treatment of readmitted children.