title: High Emergence of ESBL-Producing E. coli Cystitis: Time to Get Smarter in Cyprus.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Widespread prevalence of extended-spectrum βeta-lactamase producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-producing E. coli) limits the infection therapeutic options and is a growing global health problem. In this study our aim was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance profile of the E. coli in hospitalized and out-patients in Cyprus.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the period 2010-2014, 389 strains of E. coli were isolated from urine samples of hospitalized and out-patients in Cyprus. ESBL-producing E. coli, was observed in 53% of hospitalized and 44% in out-patients, latest one being in 2014. All ESBL-producing E. coli remained susceptible to amikacin, carbapenems except ertapenem (in-patients = 6%, out-patients = 11%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High emerging ESBL-producing E. coli from urine samples in hospitalized and out-patients is an extremely worrisome sign of development of untreatable infections in the near future on the island. We therefore emphasize the immediate need for establishment of optimal therapy guidelines based on the country specific surveillance programs. The need for new treatment strategies, urgent prescription habit changes and ban of over-the-counter sale of antimicrobials at each segment of healthcare services is also discussed in this research.
authors.affiliation: MicroLabHammerfest, Norway; Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East UniversityNicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Leon
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Cantas
authors.affiliation: Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Kaya
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suer
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Emrah
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guler
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Near East University Nicosia, Cyprus.
authors.forename: Turgut
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Imir
keywords: Cyprus; E. coli; ESBL; UTI; antibiotic; resistance