Ciprofloxacin-resistant Escherichia coli from bacteraemias in England; increasingly prevalent and mostly from men

J Antimicrob Chemother. 2003 Dec;52(6):1040-2. doi: 10.1093/jac/dkg479. Epub 2003 Oct 29.

Abstract

Objectives: To assess ciprofloxacin resistance among Escherichia coli isolates from bacteraemia patients in England in relation to age, sex and Region.

Methods: Routine susceptibility data for bacteraemia isolates were collected from over 90% of hospitals in England.

Results: During 1995-2001, the prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance trebled, from 2.1% to 6.5%. Isolates from men were more frequently resistant than those from women, possibly because infections in men more often involve nosocomial strains. Resistance was rare (<1.5%) in isolates from patients aged <1 year; among older patients, resistance was unrelated to age in isolates from women, but peaked in the 15-44 age group for men.

Conclusions: The prevalence of ciprofloxacin resistance in E. coli from bacteraemia is strongly associated with sex and, to a lesser extent, age.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology*
  • Bacteremia / epidemiology
  • Bacteremia / microbiology*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Ciprofloxacin / pharmacology*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial
  • England / epidemiology
  • Escherichia coli / drug effects*
  • Escherichia coli Infections / epidemiology
  • Escherichia coli Infections / microbiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Middle Aged
  • Religion
  • Sex Factors

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Ciprofloxacin