ESBL-producing E. coli in Swedish poultry : origin, prevalence, dissemination and possible effect on human health

Abstract

Antibiotic resistant bacteria are pathogens with high importance for both veterinary as well as human medicine all over the world. According to the World Health Organisation it is one of the biggest threat to global public health (WHO 2014). During the last few years the Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) producing group of bacteria has increased in a very alarming rate both in Sweden and in other countries. Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase is an enzyme that can be produced by many different bacteria but especially Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae.