CTX-M β-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli in French hospitals:: Prevalence, molecular epidemiology, and risk factors

In 2004, 65 CTX-M-producing Escherichia coli isolates were collected from infected patients in four French hospitals. The bla(CTX)-(M-15) genes were predominant. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis highlighted a clonal propagation of CTX-M-15-producing strains belonging to phylogenetic group B2, notably in the community. The main risk factors for acquiring these isolates were urinary tract infections or the presence of a urinary catheter in diabetic or renal failure patients.