CLUSTER OF MULTIRESISTANT ESCHERICHIA-COLI O78-H10 IN GREATER COPENHAGEN

A multiresistant, lactose-negative Escherichia coli O78:H10 was isolat ed from 19 patients in Greater Copenhagen over a period of 8 months. A t least 14 cases were community-acquired. 18 isolates originated from urine cultures and 1 from a faecal sample. 13 patients were predispose d to urinary tract infection (UTI) and 11 patients showed clinical sig ns of UTI. This is the first report of E. coli O78:H10 causing human d isease. The cluster was probably food-borne, but the source was not id entified. This cluster of identical disease associated E. coli was onl y uncovered because of its multiresistance and lactose-negative phenot ype.