HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
ESBL (extended-spectrum beta-lactamases)
Pūmua whākōkī whawhai rongoā paturopi
This page has links to information in te reo Māori.
A beta-lactamase is an enzyme. It is produced by some bacteria (germs) and prevents certain antibiotics from working.
Bacteria that produce this enzyme are more resistant to many of the antibiotics prescribed to treat infections. This makes an infection caused by ESBL-producing bacteria more difficult to treat. It also means that only a limited range of antibiotics can be used.
ESBL-producing bacteria are part of a group of bacteria known as multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDRO).
Types of ESBL-producing bacteria include E. coli and Klebsiella. Both of these normally live in your bowel without making you sick.
ESBL-producing bacteria are not usually a risk to healthy people. But people in hospital are at risk of infection. This is because their body's defence mechanisms are weakened by illness, surgery, medications and medical procedures.
Effects of ESBL-producing bacteria
You can be colonised or infected by ESBL.
Colonised means you have the bacteria in your bowel, but you are not sick because of it. In this case, your hospital stay should not be increased.
Infection means that bacteria in or on your body are making you sick. ESBL-producing bacteria can cause infections like gastroenteritis, urinary tract infections and wound infections.
You can become colonised or infected by ESBL-producing bacteria if you touch other people who have the infection or surfaces that are contaminated then touch your mouth area without having washed your hands. ESBL-producing bacteria are not spread through the air by coughing or sneezing.
Diagnosing ESBL-producing bacteria
If your doctor thinks you may be colonised or infected with ESBL-producing bacteria, they will do some simple tests. This might involve taking a rectal swab or a faecal or urine sample. The results of these tests will help your doctor work out the best form of treatment for you.
Treating ESBL-producing bacteria
There are still a few antibiotics that can be used to treat infections caused by ESBL-producing bacteria. Your doctors will decide which antibiotic will best treat your infection.
Avoiding the spread of ESBL-producing bacteria
In hospital, you can potentially spread the bacteria to other patients.
To reduce the risk of spreading the infection, it is important to have good hand hygiene. This includes washing your hands with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before eating or drinking. Alcohol-based hand rubs are an excellent alternative to hand washing. They are available in all hospital wards and departments.
If you are in hospital, you may be placed in isolation to reduce the risk of spreading ESBL-producing bacteria to other patients. This means you may be in your own room and have your own toilet.
Hospital staff caring for you may wear gloves and gowns or aprons to prevent them carrying the bacteria to other patients.
If you are in isolation, it is important that you do not visit patients in other parts of the ward or in other wards. You may also be asked not to go into communal areas on the ward.
Encourage everyone, including healthcare workers, to wash their hands after visiting you.
Healthy visitors, including pregnant women and young children, are not at risk from ESBL-producing bacteria. But your visitors must wash their hands or use alcohol-based hand rub when they leave your room.
If your visitors are going to visit other people in the hospital, they should do that before coming to see you.
Your whānau (family) can take your laundry home and wash it as usual.
ESBL-producing bacteria will not stop you going home from hospital. You will be discharged as soon as your general condition allows.
The presence of ESBL-producing bacteria does not pose a risk to the health of your whānau and friends when you are at home or at work.
At home, maintain good personal hygiene and household cleaning. Good hand washing is very important. You can wash towels, clothes, bed sheets and other items as usual. You can also wash utensils and dishes as usual. You do not need to limit activities or visitors to your home.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Te Whatu Ora Waitaha – Why am I in isolation?
If due to your infection, you have been placed in a single room with restrictions on your movement (in isolation), this factsheet explains why. It includes information about what it means to be in isolation, how to cope while you are in isolation and what happens when you go home. The factsheet is also available in te reo Māori.
Written by Infection Prevention and Control Service, Canterbury DHB. Adapted by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed May 2025.
SourcesReview key: HIMDR-85207
