Clinical and Molecular Characteristics of Extended-Spectrum-β-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Causing Bacteremia in the Rotterdam Area, Netherlands

We investigated the clinical and molecular characteristics of bacteremia caused by extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli over a 2-year period (2008 to 2009) in the Rotterdam region (including 1 teaching hospital and 2 community hospitals) of Netherlands. The majority of patients presented with community onset urinary and intra-abdominal infections, with an increase in prevalence during 2009. The majority of E. coli isolates produced CTX-M-15, and 4 sequence types (ST38, ST131, ST405, and ST648) predominated. There were significant differences in clinical and molecular characteristics between the 2 community hospitals.