Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in different environments (humans, food, animal farms and sewage).
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to determine the presence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in different environments.


METHODS
Clinical samples and stool samples from animal farms, sewage, human faecal carriers attending the emergency room and faecal carriers in the context of food-borne disease outbreaks were subcultured onto MacConkey agar supplemented with cefotaxime for the detection of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Identification, susceptibility pattern and ERIC-PCR were used for clone delineation in each sample. Community consumption of antibiotics was also recorded.


RESULTS
An ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae prevalence of 1.9% was observed in human infections. A cross-sectional survey of human faecal carriers in the community showed a general prevalence of 6.6% with a temporal distribution. High use of antibiotics in winter coincided with a lower prevalence in carriers. ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae were detected in the five samples of human sewage, in samples from 8 of 10 pig farms, 2 of 10 rabbit farms, from all 10 poultry farms and in 3 of 738 food samples studied. Faecal carriage of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae was detected in samples from 19 of 61 food-borne outbreaks evaluated. All food-borne outbreaks were due to enteropathogens. The prevalence of carriers in these outbreaks ranged from 4.4% to 66.6%.


CONCLUSIONS
This widespread occurrence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae suggests that the community could act as a reservoir and that food could contribute to the spread of these strains.
Mesa
Raúl Jesús
RJ
Servei de Microbiologia, Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau Barcelona, Spain.
Blanc
Vanessa
V
Blanch
Anicet R
AR
Cortés
Pilar
P
González
Juan José
JJ
Lavilla
Susana
S
Miró
Elisenda
E
Muniesa
Maite
M
Saco
Montserrat
M
Tórtola
Ma Teresa
MT
Mirelis
Beatriz
B
Coll
Pere
P
Llagostera
Montserrat
M
Prats
Guillem
G
Navarro
Ferran
F
D000383:Agriculture; D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002353:Carrier State; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005516:Food Microbiology; D006801:Humans; D011200:Poultry / Q000382:microbiology; D011817:Rabbits / Q000382:microbiology; D012621:Seasons; D012722:Sewage / Q000382:microbiology*; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013552:Swine / Q000382:microbiology; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D012722:Sewage; D001618:beta-Lactamases