Antibiotic resistance: estimating the population level distribution of Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases (ESBLs) in West Yorkshire, UK

Antibiotic resistance is of concern and GPs are encouraged to reduce prescribing levels. An important type of antimicrobial resistance is caused by Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases. This study aims to establish whether obtaining faecal samples is an acceptable form of ‘screening’ and to use GIS methods to analyse diagnoses. There are observable differences in levels of resistance within Bradford and Leeds and inverse distance weighting provides an estimated surface of resistance. A spatial cluster of unusually high antibiotic resistance is found within Bradford. This deserves further study as does the use of data with improved geographic resolution and wider geographical coverage.