Introduction: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli infections have become endemic worldwide. We aimed to describe the molecular and clinical epidemiology of ESBL-producing E. coli infections during a period of rising global prevalence.
Methods: Three hundred sixty-nine consecutive ESBL-producing E. coli infections in Detroit from 2010-2011 were analyzed. Sequence typing (ST) and CH typing were performed. Clinical characteristics and outcomes were compared between patients infected with ST131 and non-ST131 isolates.
Results: Ninety-six percent of isolates were ST 131, and 78.6% of ST 131 isolates produced blaCTX-M-15. Median time to effective therapy was 48 h vs. 35 h (P = 0.38) in the ST131 vs. non-ST131 groups. Ninety-day mortality rates (8% vs. 8%, P = 1.0) were similar between the two groups.
Conclusion: blaCTX-M-15 ST131 E. coli predominated in Detroit during an early period of global ST131 dissemination. Patients with ST131 E. coli infections had similar clinical outcomes to those with non-ST131 E. coli infections.
Keywords: Escherichia coli; Extended spectrum beta-lactamase; Sequence typing.