What is Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase?
• Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) microbes are specific bacteria that produce enzymes (extended spectrum beta lactamases) that can break down many common antibiotics, making the antibiotics ineffective. • ESBL microbes have been present in Europe and the USA for almost 20 years. Only recently, have these bacteria been detected in Canada in significant numbers. The types of bacteria that are most commonly associated with ESBL are E. coli and Klebsiella. • E. coli is a bacteria found in the normal human bowel flora and is necessary for digestion. Sometimes E. coli will get into tissues or organs where it does not belong, such as the urinary tract, and can lead to infection. E. coli is the most common cause of bladder infection and is usually treated with antibiotics. Symptomatic infections that are caused by ESBL E. coli may not be effectively cured by some commonly used antibiotics. NOTE: This is not the same E. coli that causes hamburger disease or caused the waterborne outbrea
