The real threat of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing bacteria.

Abstract

From early this decade, Enterobacteriaceae that produce Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPC) were reported in the USA and subsequently worldwide. These KPC-producing bacteria are predominantly involved in nosocomial and systemic infections; although they are mostly Enterobacteriaceae, they can also be, rarely, Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. KPC beta lactamases (KPC-1 to KPC-7) confer decreased susceptibility or resistance to virtually all beta lactams. Carbapenems (imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem) may thus become inefficient for treating enterobacterial infections with KPC-producing bacteria, which are, in addition, resistant to many other non-beta-lactam molecules, leaving few available therapeutic options. Detection of KPC-producing bacteria may be difficult based on routine antibiotic susceptibility testing. It is therefore crucial to implement efficient infection control measures to limit the spread of these pathogens.

• Authors: Patrice Nordmann, Gaelle Cuzon, Thierry Naas
• Journal: The Lancet. Infectious diseases (Lancet Infect Dis) Vol. 9 Issue 4 Pg. 228-36 (Apr 2009) ISSN: 1474-4457 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 19324295 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review)

Chemical References

• Bacterial Proteins
• Carbapenems
• beta-Lactamases
• carbapenemase

Topics

• Bacterial Proteins (metabolism)
• Carbapenems (pharmacology)
• Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial
• Enterobacteriaceae (drug effects, enzymology)
• Humans
• Klebsiella Infections (drug therapy, epidemiology, microbiology)
• Klebsiella pneumoniae (drug effects, enzymology)
• beta-Lactamases (metabolism)