Results of two worldwide surveys into physician awareness and perceptions of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases.
An omnibus survey of microbiologists (n = 400) and a survey of participants (n = 49) in the Meropenem Yearly Susceptibility Test Information Collection (MYSTIC) programme were conducted to determine the awareness and prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs), and the regularity and method of screening. Of the omnibus survey participants, 69% screened regularly for ESBLs, compared with 83% of MYSTIC participants. In both surveys, ESBLs were more common in Klebsiella pneumoniae (73% and 79%, respectively) and Escherichia coli (63% and 81%, respectively) than in other bacteria. The surveys demonstrated that awareness of, and testing for, ESBLs is inconsistent.
Department of Microbiology, University Hospital, Antwerp, Belgium. Herman.Goossens@uza.be
H
H
Goossens
S
S
Malhotra-Kumar
H
H
Eraksoy
S
S
Unal
B
B
Grabein
R
R
Masterton
C
C
Mendes
J-A
JA
Garcia-Rodriguez
G
G
Russo
R N
RN
Jones
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D014943:Global Health; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology; D000077731:Meropenem; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D010820:Physicians; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013845:Thienamycins / Q000494:pharmacology; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D013845:Thienamycins; D001618:beta-Lactamases; D000077731:Meropenem