Infections Caused by ESbL-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Italy

To assess the molecular epidemiology, clinical impact, treatment outcome and risk factors for infections caused by Enterobacteriaceae producing ESBLs in Italy in a large multicenter observational survey. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES 1. To collect consecutive nonreplicate isolates of Enterobacteriaceae resistant to expanded-spectrum cephalosporins from clinical specimens from inpatients and outpatients. 2. To characterize the isolates for resistance phenotypes and for β-lactam resistance mechanisms. 3. To investigate the clonality of isolates. 4. To analyse the epidemiology of various resistance mechanisms/resistant clones. 5. To collect clinical and epidemiological data for patients with infections caused by the ESBL producers. 6. To analyse the epidemiology, risk factors and outcome for infections caused by ESBL producers.