AUTHOR=Cantas Leon , Suer Kaya , Guler Emrah , Imir Turgut 

TITLE=High Emergence of ESBL-Producing E. coli Cystitis: Time to Get Smarter in Cyprus

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Microbiology

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2016

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/microbiology/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2015.01446

DOI=10.3389/fmicb.2015.01446

ISSN=1664-302X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Background:</bold> Widespread prevalence of extended-spectrum βeta-lactamase producing <italic>Escherichia</italic> coli (ESBL-producing <italic>E. coli</italic>) 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 <italic>E. coli</italic> in hospitalized and out-patients in Cyprus.</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> During the period 2010–2014, 389 strains of <italic>E. coli</italic> were isolated from urine samples of hospitalized and out-patients in Cyprus. ESBL-producing <italic>E. coli</italic>, was observed in 53% of hospitalized and 44% in out-patients, latest one being in 2014. All ESBL-producing <italic>E. coli</italic> remained susceptible to amikacin, carbapenems except ertapenem (in-patients = 6%, out-patients = 11%).</p><p><bold>Conclusion:</bold> High emerging ESBL-producing <italic>E. coli</italic> 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.</p>