Data Challenge: TRACE-Ec: Transmission and Resistance Analytics for Carbapenem- and ESBL-producing E. coli

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health threat, with ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-Ec) and carbapenem-resistant E. coli driving significant morbidity. Our project will leverage the Vivli AMR Register’s datasets and curated datasets to investigate AMR dissemination through a One Health approach. We hypothesize that resistance and virulence mechanisms, coupled with mobile genetic elements, fuel ESBL-Ec and carbapenem-resistant E. coli spread across human and environmental reservoirs. Our objectives are to: (1) elucidate how these mechanisms drive clonal expansion and inter-sectoral transmission; (2) identify prevalent AMR and virulence mechanisms globally; and (3) map transmission patterns and resistance trends to pinpoint key AMR drivers. To address these, we will integrate Vivli’s AMR register datasets with One Health insights from public datasets, including genomic data from NCBI and PATRIC. Advanced machine learning models will analyze resistance patterns and transmission networks, combining phenotypic and genotypic features for high-resolution insights. We will validate our findings by comparing one-health surveillance data with datasets from the AMR register, ensuring robust cross-sectoral alignment and confirming the representativeness of our findings against global trends.
By merging Vivli’s comprehensive data with One Health and genomic insights, our project will deliver actionable strategies to combat ESBL-Ec and carbapenem-resistant E. coli. This aligns with the Vivli 2025 Data Challenge’s mission to advance AMR surveillance innovation, offering novel solutions to inform global health policies and mitigate AMR’s growing threats.