Lactose vs Non-Lactose Fermenting E. coli: Epidemiology, Clinical Outcomes, and Resistance

Abstract

NLFEC isolates were more likely to be found in patients admitted from the community (97% vs 73% P = 0.03) rather than hospital acquired (3% vs 27% P = 0.009). There was no difference in rates of colonization (36% vs 46% P = 0.14) and pathogenicity (64% vs 54% P = 0.256), nor site of infection. NLFEC demonstrated a trend to statistical significance to be less resistant to later generation Cephalosporin. They were less likely to be resistant to Cefepime (1% vs 8% P = 0.003) and be flagged as an ESBL isolate.