Patient education: Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase infection (The Basics)

What is an extended-spectrum beta-lactamase infection? — Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase ("ESBL") is a type of protein called an "enzyme." It is found in certain types of bacteria. Infection with these bacteria is known as ESBL infection.

Normally, bacterial infections are treated with antibiotic medicines. But ESBL enzymes can break down a certain type of antibiotic called "beta-lactams." Many commonly used antibiotics are in this group. If you have an ESBL infection, beta-lactam antibiotics will not work. This makes the infection harder to treat.

ESBL bacteria can be spread from person to person. You can also get an infection from touching something with ESBL bacteria on it. The risk of getting an ESBL infection is higher for people who are in the hospital or live in a nursing home. But it's also possible to get the infection from other people or surfaces.

Some people have ESBL bacteria in their body but do not get sick. This is called "colonization." People who are colonized with ESBL bacteria can still spread it to others, even without knowing that they have it.

What are the symptoms of ESBL infection? — Symptoms are similar to other bacterial infections. The specific symptoms you have will depend on where the infection is. For example, it might be in your:

●Digestive system – The bacteria might be in your bowel movements without you having any symptoms.

●Skin – Your skin might be red or sore. Or you might carry the bacteria on your skin without having any symptoms.

●Urinary tract – You might have pain or a burning feeling when you urinate, have to urinate often, feel the need to urinate suddenly, or have blood in your urine.

●Lungs – You might have a cough or trouble breathing.

You might also have a fever or chills, feel weak or tired, have diarrhea, or feel sick to your stomach.

Will I need tests? — Maybe. In some cases, a person finds out that they have an ESBL infection because they don't get better after their doctor prescribes a beta-lactam antibiotic.

Your doctor will also ask you questions to try to find out how you got the infection. Tell them if:

●You recently traveled.

●You have been in a hospital or nursing home.

●You take care of someone who takes a lot of antibiotics.

If the infection is in your urinary tract or blood, your doctor might take a urine or blood sample. This can be sent to a lab to see if any ESBL bacteria grow in it over time. This is called a "culture."

How is ESBL infection treated? — Treatment involves getting specific antibiotics that do work against ESBL bacteria. Sometimes, the treatment can be taken as a pill. Or you might get medicine through an IV (a thin tube that goes into a vein) instead.

You might need to stay in the hospital if your ESBL infection is serious. The hospital staff will probably take safety measures called "isolation precautions" while treating you. This involves wearing gloves and special gowns when they are in the room with you. You might also need to stay in a room alone.

Can ESBL infection be prevented? — The best way to prevent the spread of infection is for doctors and nurses to wash their hands often when caring for patients. They will also use other safety measures when caring for people with an ESBL infection.

After having an ESBL infection, a person can continue to have the bacteria inside their body for many years. It is easy to spread to others. To help prevent this:

●Keep your bathroom and toilet clean.

●Wash your hands often with soap and water (figure 1). Always wash your hands after using the bathroom and before touching food.

●If children live in your home, teach them to keep their hands out of their mouths.

These things will also help lower the risk of spreading other types of illness.

More on this topic

Patient education: What you should know about antibiotics (The Basics)
Patient education: E. coli diarrhea (The Basics)
Patient education: Urinary tract infections in adults (The Basics)
Patient education: Isolation precautions (The Basics)