Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae: trends in the hospital and community settings.
BACKGROUND
To assess the prevalence of extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producing Escherichia coli and Klebsiella strains in nosocomial and community-acquired infections.


METHODS
The study was conducted at a centralized microbiology laboratory in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. Laboratory records (January 2004 - December 2005) were assessed. Associated resistance to a panel of antibiotics was determined.


RESULTS
A total of 6,750 Gram-negative organisms were assessed for ESBL-phenotype. ESBL was detected in 6% (409/6,750) of isolates, the majority of which were E. coli (83%). ESBL producers were significantly higher among isolates from in-patients 15.4% (143/927) versus out-patients (4.5%; 266/5,823); p < 0.05. Old age (older than 60 years) represented a significant risk for having an ESBL-producing pathogen. Urine was the major source of ESBL isolates in in-patients (46.1%) and out-patients (74.4%). The proportion of urinary E. coli isolates which were ESBL producers was significantly higher among in-patients (53/506; 10.4%) compared to out-patients (182/4,074; 4.4%); p<0.05. Old age (older than 60 years) represented a significant risk for having an ESBL-producing pathogen. Urine was the major source of ESBL isolates in in-patients (46.1%) and out-patients (74.4%). The proportion of urinary E. coli isolates which were ESBL producers was significantly higher among in-patients (53/506; 10.4%) compared to out-patients (182/4,074; 4.4%); p<0.05. Among in-patients, 60% of the ESBL associated infections were nosocomial. All were sensitive to imipenem but high levels of resistance to gentamicin, amikacin, amoxicillin-clavulanic acid and ciprofloxacin was shown.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings document evidence of the spread of multiresistant ESBL-producers into the community. This has significant implications for patient management, and indicates the need for increased surveillance and molecular characterization of these isolates.
Khanfar
Husam S
HS
Department of Microbiology and Epidemiology, Dhahran Health Centre, Saudi Aramco Company, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia.
Bindayna
Khalid M
KM
Senok
Abiola C
AC
Botta
Giuseppe A
GA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000382:microbiology*; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D055815:Young Adult; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D047090:beta-Lactams / Q000494:pharmacology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D047090:beta-Lactams; D001618:beta-Lactamases