# Genomics of MDRO Transmission in Nursing Homes

> **NIH NIH P01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE · 2023 · $355,563

## Abstract

Abstract
Project 2: Evaluating MDRO Transmission Patterns in Nursing Homes Using Pathogen Genomic Data
 MDRO infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality for residents in nursing homes (NHs),
and these facilities are increasingly recognized as hubs for the rise and spread of MDROs into hospitals and
the wider community. Thus, there is an urgent need to be able to sensitively detect, trace and control
transmission of MDROs in NHs to limit their impact on residents and the healthcare ecosystem. Despite this
need, MDRO dynamics are poorly characterized in this setting. Risk factors for MDRO carriage may not
correspond to drivers of MDRO transmission. High pathogen prevalence may be fueled by (i) external
importation with admission; (ii) environmental reservoirs; or (iii) inter-person transmission, each requiring
distinct measures to reduce pathogen burden. It is also likely that transmission dynamics will differ
considerably between organisms, and thus certain interventions may have a differential impact on distinct
MDROs. Genomic surveillance of MDROs in NHs is thus urgently needed to complement studies of carriage
and prevalence by providing insight into the major drivers of spread within facilities. To address this gap, we
will assess the roles of human and environmental pathogen reservoirs contributing to MDRO transmission in
nursing homes in order to optimize sampling for genomic surveillance. We will develop integrative models
leveraging prospective genomic and epidemiological data from host and environmental sources collected
within an optimized multi-modal sampling framework to assess the spread and persistence of MDROs in NHs.
Furthermore, we will evaluate commensal organism sharing patterns in NHs using metagenomic sequence
data to resolve further microbial transmission networks. As part of a highly integrated framework with the other
P01 Projects and Cores, these studies will lead to a more comprehensive view of MDRO transmission patterns
in NHs using pathogen genomic data, including a new analytical framework for genomic assessment of
endemic pathogen transmission. This work will advance infection prevention and control strategies to detect,
trace and eliminate high risk transmission pathways, thus reducing the burden of MDROs in NHs, connected
healthcare facilities and the community.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10549491
- **Project number:** 1P01AI172725-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA-IRVINE
- **Principal Investigator:** Ashlee Miriam Earl
- **Activity code:** P01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $355,563
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2023-07-11 → 2028-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10549491

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10549491, Genomics of MDRO Transmission in Nursing Homes (1P01AI172725-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-26 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10549491. Licensed CC0.

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