title: Increasing prevalence of extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase among Gram-negative bacilli in Latin America--2008 update from the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This analysis of the Study for Monitoring Antimicrobial Resistance Trends (SMART) evaluated the susceptibility patterns of Enterobacteriaceae in Latin America in 2008, with emphasis on susceptibility trends of E. coli and K. pneumoniae.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical isolates were recovered from intra-abdominal infections (IAI) from 23 centers in 10 Latin American countries. Isolates were sent to a central laboratory for confirmation of identification, antimicrobial susceptibility and ESBL testing, following the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 1,003 Gram-negative bacilli collected from intra-abdominal infections, E. coli and K. pneumoniae were the most commonly isolated organisms, and 26.8% of E. coli and 37.7% of K. pneumoniae were ESBL positive. Ertapenem and imipenem were the most consistently active agents tested; 99% of ESBL-positive E. coli isolates were susceptible to ertapenem and 100% to imipenem as well, and 91% of ESBL-positive K. pneumoniae were susceptible to ertapenem and 98% to imipenem. Quinolones and cephalosporins were less active, achieving 1.5% to 76% inhibition against ESBL-producing E. coli and 3.5% to 61% inhibition against K. pneumoniae.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Local and unit-specific surveillance data is particularly important for selection of empiric therapy and in community-acquired infections as they can help the clinician with antibiotic selection by providing guidance regarding the likely pathogens and their resistance profiles. Our data also confirm the increasing frequency with which ESBL-producing organisms are found in the community setting, with 31.4% of community-acquired and 24.9% of hospital-acquired infections found to produce ESBLs. Imipenem and ertapenem are the most active agents tested for ESBL-positive E. coli and K. pneumoniae.
authors.affiliation: International Center for Medical Research and Training, Cali, Colombia. mariavirginia.villegas@gmail.com
authors.forename: Maria Virginia
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Villegas
authors.forename: Manuel Guzmán
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Blanco
authors.forename: Jose
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sifuentes-Osornio
authors.forename: Flávia
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial; D004755:Enterobacteriaceae / Q000145:classification / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007843:Latin America / Q000453:epidemiology; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000096:biosynthesis*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001618:beta-Lactamases