Trends in production of extended-spectrum {beta}-lactamases among Enterobacteriaceae of clinical interest: results of a nationwide survey in Belgian hospitals

Objectives To assess the frequency and diversity of extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) in Enterobacteriaceae isolates in Belgium. Methods During 2006 and 2008, non-duplicate clinical isolates of Enterobacteriaceae resistant to ceftazidime and/or cefotaxime were collected in 100 Belgian hospitals. ESBL production was confirmed by phenotypic and genotypic tests. MICs of 13 antimicrobial agents were determined by Etest. ESBL-encoding genes were identified by PCR sequencing and the bla CTX-M environment was characterized by PCR mapping. Selected isolates were genotyped by PFGE, multilocus sequ... Mehr ...