Increasing burden of E. coli bacteraemia and changing epidemiology

Methods Microbiological records of patients with E. coli bacteraemia were linked with patient data to determine their characteristics, whether CA or HA, and if the E. coli produced ESBL. Blood cultures taken within 2 days of admission were defined as CA, 2 days or more after admission as HA and a new episode if greater than 2 weeks between positive blood cultures. E. coli ESBL was defined by resistance to cefpodoxime, or by resistance to ceftazidime or cefotaxime whilst remaining susceptible to cefoxitin. Where possible, the potential source of the bacteraemia was determined from the antibiotic profile of E.coli isolated concurrently from other specimens.