In-vivo interspecies transmission of carbapenemase KPC in a long-term treated female patient

Epidemiol Mikrobiol Imunol. 2019 Spring;68(2):99-102.

Abstract

The increasing incidence of multiresistant bacterial strains is currently a serious health concern. These pathogens are often the cause of nosocomial infections with limited treatment options and high fatality rates. A case report is presented of an uncommon detection of four different species (Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Morganella morganii) producing the same type of carbapenemase, KPC-2, in a female patient during her complicated long-term hospital stay. Resistance was probably spread to other species by horizontal transmission of plasmids carrying the blaKPC-2 genes. The implementation of strict anti-epidemic measures prevented further spread of these carbapenem-resistant bacteria.

Keywords: KPC-2; anti-epidemic measures; carbapenemase; interspecies transmission; multiresistance.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents* / pharmacology
  • Bacteria* / drug effects
  • Bacteria* / enzymology
  • Bacterial Infections* / microbiology
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Coinfection / microbiology
  • Cross Infection* / microbiology
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial / genetics
  • Female
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • beta-Lactamases* / genetics

Substances

  • Anti-Bacterial Agents
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • beta-lactamase KPC-2
  • beta-Lactamases