ESCMID-presented research finds antibiotic resistance genes in newborns

April 24, 2026

Key Highlights

Most newborns in the study carried multiple antibiotic resistance genes within the first 72 hours of life.
Key resistance genes identified include oqxA, qnrS, blaCTXM, blaCMY, and blaSHV, some associated with carbapenem resistance.
Maternal transmission, delivery mode, and early hospital exposure are significant factors influencing resistance gene presence.

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A recent study led by Professor Elias Iosifidis at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki found that newborn babies carry antibiotic resistance genes during their first hours after birth. The study was presented at ESCMID Global 2026, according to a release.

More than 100 meconium samples were tested for 56 antibiotic resistance genes. It is important to note that each newborn analyzed was “admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) within the first 72 hours of life between July 2024 and July 2025.”

Key findings:

98% of samples contained oqxA
96% carried qnrS
Just over half had blaCTXM and/or blaCMY
blaSHV was found in 39%
21% contained genes that are associated with carbapenem resistance
Each infant carried an average of eight resistance genes.

The study’s lead author, Dr Argyro Ftergioti, attributed the presence of antibiotic resistance genes in newborns to “maternal transmission, delivery mode, and very early hospital exposures.”