Antibiotic-resistance plasmid amplified among MRSA cases in an urban jail and its connected communities

Feb 2, 2026

Authors: Evan Snitkin,
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MCIDT affiliate Evan Snitkin reveals how antibiotic selective pressure in an urban jail led to the amplification of an antibiotic resistance plasmid in the jail, with detectable effects on resistance in surrounding communities with high detainee release.

Key Terms: Epidemiology; Policy and public health in microbiology; Bacterial infection

Figure 3A from the linked paper: "Antibiotic exposure was defined as at least 10 days prior to infection, to ensure that the antibiotic was not prescribed for the infection, and no more than 6 months prior to infection. A Bars represent antibiotic exposure by antibiotic type and ermC plasmid presence (present: red, absent: gray). Exposure to clindamycin (especially topical) is associated with presence of ermC-carrying plasmid at CCJ and CCH. Odds ratios comparing antibiotic exposure and ermC plasmid presence and corresponding p-values (two-sided Fisher’s exact test) are indicated above each location/antibiotic group."
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