Surveillance for antibiotic resistant (AR) bacteria is challenging. We evaluated AR Enterobacterales survival in stool over various transport conditions.

Stool in Cary-Blair medium was spiked with AR Enterobacterales, held at 3 °C, 20 °C, or 37 °C, and cultured on days 3, 8, and 15. Stool from U.S. international travelers sent through the U.S. mail was also screened. We compared recovery rates using Fisher's exact tests and linear regression models.

AR Enterobacterales recovery reduced with time (86% vs.75% vs. 61% at days 3, 8 and 15; Beta for linear trend = −0.02, r² = 0.99, P = 0.02) and colder temperatures (56% (3 °C) vs. 89% (20 °C) vs. 86% (37 °C); P = 0.003). Traveler sample recovery also reduced with transport-time (Beta for linear trend = −0.03, r² = 0.70, P = 0.01) but not with season (20% (cold) vs. 22% (warm), P = 0.7).

AR Enterobacterales are found over variable transport conditions, providing rationale for expanding surveillance sample processing timelines.

对抗生素抗性 (AR) 细菌的监测具有挑战性。我们评估了粪便中 AR 肠杆菌在各种运输条件下的存活率。

在 Cary-Blair 培养基中的粪便中加入 AR 肠杆菌，保持在 3 °C、20 °C 或 37 °C，并在第 3、8 和 15 天培养。通过美国邮件发送的美国国际旅行者的粪便也被筛选。我们使用 Fisher 精确检验和线性回归模型比较了回收率。

AR 肠杆菌恢复率随时间降低（第 3、8 和 15 天分别为 86% 与 75% 与 61%；线性趋势的 Beta = -0.02，r ²  = 0.99，P = 0.02）和较冷的温度（56% (3 °C) vs. 89% (20 °C) vs. 86% (37 °C)；P = 0.003)。Traveler 样品回收率也随运输时间而降低（线性趋势的 Beta = -0.03，r ²  = 0.70，P = 0.01），但与季节无关（20%（冷）对 22%（暖），P = 0.7）。

AR 肠杆菌可在不同的运输条件下被发现，这为扩大监测样本处理时间表提供了依据。