Sensitivity to fosfomycin in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli

Abstract

Urinary infections are caused mainly by Escherichia coli (E. coli); indiscriminate use of antibiotics has caused an increase in infections due to extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing strains. Aiming to determine the sensitivity to fosfomycin, a study was conducted in ESBL-producing E. coli strains isolated from urine cultures at a hospital in Peru. Two hundred and sixty-six (266) strains of E. coli were collected, which were determined by conventional methods to be ESBLproducing. Sensitivity to fosfomycin was determined through minimum inhibitory concentration with the agar dilution method and the diffusion disc method. One hundred and ninety-two (192) (72.2%) strains of ESBL-producing E. coli strains sensitive to Fosfomycin were found. It, therefore, follows that fosfomycin exhibits antimicrobial activity against ESBL-producing E. coli strains and that it could be considered a good treatment option for resistant strains.

Keywords

• escherichia coli
• betalactamasas
• fosfomicina
• infección urinaria