Differential Trends in Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase-Producing Escherichia coli Infections in Four Health Care Facilities in a Single Metropolitan Area: A Retrospective Analysis

Abstract

Background:

Prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli (ESBL-E. coli) is increasing worldwide, but greatly varies geographically. We compared the prevalence of ESBL-E. coli infections at four distinct health care facilities in San Francisco, California.

Methods:

Antimicrobial susceptibility reports were obtained for E. coli isolates from (1) a county hospital, (2) a public skilled nursing facility, (3) a university hospital, and (4) a Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center. We compared change in frequency of ESBL-E. coli and antimicrobial resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole between 2012 and 2018.

Results:

From 2012 to 2018, frequency of ESBL-E. coli increased in urine and nonurine isolates from the county hospital (urine: 1.1% per year, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.5–1.6, p < 0.01; nonurine: 1.9% per year, 95% CI: 0.9–2.9, p < 0.01) and in urine isolates from the VA hospital (0.9% per year, 95% CI: 0.3–1.4, p < 0.01). The frequency of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance fluctuated in all facilities.

Conclusions:

At the skilled nursing facility, the prevalence of ESBL-E. coli was highest, but remained stable over time, while the prevalence of ESBL-E. coli increased among urine and nonurine isolates at the county hospital and urine isolates at the VA hospital. The temporal trend of ESBL-E. coli infections, even within one city, varied by health care facility.