Fecal Carriage of Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase–ProducingEscherichia coliandKlebsiella pneumoniaein Patients and Asymptomatic Healthy Individuals

Abstract

Fecal carriage of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing organisms was assessed in 272 inpatients, 162 outpatients, and 426 asymptomatic healthy individuals. Of 860 stool samples cultured, 152 (17.7%) yielded ESBL-producing organisms. Isolates were recovered from 71 (26.1%) of the inpatients, 25 (15.4%) of the outpatients, and 56 (13.1%) of the healthy individuals. These findings suggest that the community could be a reservoir of ESBL-producing organisms.