Community Acquisition of ESBL-Producing E. coli

In an observational study at five U.S. medical centers, 56% of all ESBL-producing Escherichia coli isolates stemmed from community-associated episodes; 37% of these episodes had no healthcare association.

Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli is resistant to most β-lactam antibiotics except carbapenems. The genes encoding ESBLs are located mainly on transferable plasmids — often in association with other antibiotic-resistance genes. ESBL-producing E. coli infections have generally been healthcare associated, but acquisition in the community has been reported in multiple countries since the mid-2000s. These community-acquired cases have frequently been associated with CTX-M–type ESBL and particularly with multilocus sequence type 131.

To ascertain the potential spread of ESBL-producing E. coli in the community, researchers conducted a prospective observational study involving consecutive patients with nonhospital-acqu…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)