Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase Infection
Overview
Definition
Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs) are enzymes made by bacteria. They make it harder for the usual medicines to care for infections. Without them, getting sick can lead to serious health problems or death.
The Intestines |
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The bacteria can travel to the intestines, causing a serious infection. |
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Risk Factors
The most common place to have contact with these germs is from a hospital stay. The healthcare staff spread germs by touching people. The most common type is a urinary tract infection .
Risk also comes from:
- Recent surgery
- A tube to drain urine from the bladder
- History of antibiotic use
- Living in a nursing home
- A feeding tubes
- A ventilators —to help with breathing
- Dialysis —to help your kidneys clean your blood
- Having diabetes
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Treatments
Prevention
To lower the chances of infection, healthcare staff will make sure people:
- Wash their hands before and after touching you or other surfaces.
- Wear a gown or gloves when they’re with you.
You can lower your chances by:
- Washing your hands often.
- Using antibiotics as advised.
- Avoiding people who are sick.
- Calling your doctor when you’re sick.
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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All rights reserved.
a (ESBL)
RESOURCES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention https://www.cdc.gov
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases https://www.niaid.nih.gov
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Alberta Health http://www.health.alberta.ca
Public Health Agency of Canada https://www.canada.ca
References
Antibiotic/antimicrobial resistance. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Available at: https://www.cdc.gov/drugresistance. Updated March 29, 2018. Accessed May 21, 2018.
Dhillon RH, Clark J. ESBLs: a clear and present danger? Crit Care Res Pract. 2012;2012:1-11.
Doi Y, Adams J, O'Keefe Alexandra, Quereshi Z, Ewan L, Paterson DS. Community-acquired extended spectrum beta-lactamase producers, United States. Emerg Infect Dis. 2007;13(7): 1121-1123.
Extended spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs). EBSCO DynaMed Plus website. Available at: http://www.dynamed.com/topics/dmp~AN~T904751/Extended-spectrum-beta-lactamases-ESBLs . Updated November 7, 2017. Accessed May 21, 2018.
Paterson DL, Bonomo RA. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamases: a clinical update. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2005;18(4):657–686.