Oral treatment options for ambulatory patients with urinary tract infections caused by extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli.

An increase in extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Escherichia coli has been observed in outpatient settings. Consequently, 100 ESBL-positive E. coli isolates from ambulatory patients with clinically confirmed urinary tract infections were collected by a single laboratory between October 2004 and January 2008. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was carried out using the oral antibiotics fosfomycin, pivmecillinam, and nitrofurantoin and the parenteral antibiotic ertapenem. Susceptibility rates indicate that fosfomycin (97%), nitrofurantoin (94%), and pivmecillinam (85%) could be considered important oral treatment options.