ESBL stands for "extended-spectrum beta-lactamase". These enzymes (beta-lactamases) produced by some Enterobacteriaceae –destroy the beta-lactam ring of antibiotics such as penicillin and cephalosporins. "Extended" means that the ESBL-producing organisms are resistant to numerous beta-lactam antibiotics, including third-generation cephalosporins (hence, also referred to as CRE). ESBL-producing organisms belong to different families or bacterial species. Most clinically relevant bacteria include Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella spp.
The ESBL-producing organisms' resistance mechanisms only aim at antibiotics. Disinfectants that have a proven bactericidal activity in accordance with the European Norm (EN) or the Association for Applied Hygiene (VAH) reliably inactivate ESBL-producing organisms and CRE respectively within the specified exposure time.
