Molecular characterization of addiction systems of plasmids encoding extended-spectrum β-lactamases in Escherichia coli.

Objectives: Escherichia coli producing CTX-M-type extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) are spreading worldwide. The aim of this work was to investigate the addiction systems carried by the replicons involved in the emergence and spread of ESBLs in relation to ESBL and replicon types. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]