“French study finds MRSA rates dropping but other superbugs increasing”

“A French team of investigators has determined that national rates of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decreased slowly from 2004 through 2016, while rates of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-positive Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae increased markedly, according to a study yesterday in Antimicrobial Resistance & Infection Control.

The researchers analyzed data on 26,486 isolates over the study period from 33 centers across France. From 2004 to 2016, 27.7% of S aureus isolates overall were MRSA, decreasing from 28.0% in 2013 to 23.5% in 2016. The rate of ESBL-positive E coli increased from 3.0% in 2004 to 23.1% in 2012 but then dropped to 19.8% in 2016 (19.8%). The proportion of ESBL-positive K pneumoniaeisolates increased from 7.5% in 2004 to 43.6% in 2016.

On a positive note, the authors note that susceptibility of gram-positive isolates to vancomycin, tigecycline, meropenem, and linezolid was well conserved throughout the study period, as was susceptibility of gram-negative isolates to tigecycline and meropenem. But they caution that the spread of multidrug-resistant isolates must be carefully monitored.”

Source: CIDRAP