Faecal carriage of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli in community settings.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of intestinal carriage of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae and carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli in the community in Buenos Aires, Argentina.


METHODS
Faecal samples from 164 non-hospitalized patients were cultured on CHROMagar KPC and CHROMagar ESBL plates. Isolates resistant to third-generation cephalosporins or carbapenems were selected for further study. The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the isolates was determined using the E-test method. The phenotypic detection of ESBLs and carbapenemases was performed using the double-disc synergy test.


RESULTS
The rate of faecal carriage of Enterobacteriaceae resistant to third-generation cephalosporins was 26.8%. Escherichia coli represented a large majority (75%) of the isolates recovered. Thirty-three ESBL-producing isolates were detected from 31 faecal samples (18.9% of the collected specimens). Eight carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli were recovered from eight specimens (4.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study revealed a high prevalence of faecal carriage of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria, including ESBLs, in Buenos Aires. Therefore, the use of surveillance cultures will be helpful for tracking and monitoring the spread of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae within community settings.
Department of Clinical Bacteriology, Laboratorio Hidalgo, Buenos Aires, Argentina . villarh2003@yahoo.com.ar
Hugo Edgardo
HE
Villar
Marisa Noemí
MN
Baserni
Monica Beatriz
MB
Jugo
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001118:Argentina / Q000453:epidemiology; D015780:Carbapenems / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002353:Carrier State / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D002511:Cephalosporins / Q000494:pharmacology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017714:Community-Acquired Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D016905:Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D055815:Young Adult; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D015780:Carbapenems; D002511:Cephalosporins; D001618:beta-Lactamases