Escherichia coli producing ESBL.

Infections caused by ESBL-producing E. coli (e.g., urinary tract infections, bloodstream infections, pneumonia) are more challenging to treat because many standard antibiotics become ineffective. Carbapenems (e.g., meropenem, imipenem) are often the treatment of choice, but their overuse can lead to the emergence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), which is a major global health threat.