Should we consider faecal colonisation with extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in empirical therapy of community-onset sepsis?

•In ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) carriers, the probability of ESBL-E sepsis aetiology was considerable.•This probability was highest (62.6%) if sepsis originated from the urinary tract.•30-day mortality was not higher in the non-carbapenem versus carbapenem empirical treatment group.•Non-carbapenem empirical therapy in non-critically ill ESBL-E carriers is appropriate.