Researchers have reported that an analysis of invasive E coli isolates found that more than one-third were multidrug-resistant (MDR). CIDRAP has the news.

The study analyzed more than 10,000 E coli isolates collected from patients with bloodstream infections from 2011 through 2023. Of the extraintestinal pathogenic E coli (ExPEC) isolates collected, 34% were labeled as MDR, with wide variation between countries. India, Mexico, and China had the highest MDR rates, while the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden had the lowest.

Serotypes O25, O2, O6, and O1 were the most prevalent. O25 was the most prevalent in all countries, while ST131, a globally dominant clone and important cause of urinary tract and bloodstream infections worldwide, accounted for 33% of all MDR isolates.

The authors concluded that the results “stress the importance of epidemiological studies to monitor the prevalence of high-risk ExPEC clones and highlight the need for ongoing research into novel preventive and therapeutic strategies, including vaccines, to reduce the burden of bacterial disease and limit the spread of antimicrobial resistance.”