Clonal dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae: Two distinct sub-lineages of Sequence Type 11 carrying blaKPC-2 and blaOXA-48

Since the first isolation of carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in a North Carolina hospital (USA) in 1996 [1], the expanding distribution of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae (CR-Kp) has become a global threat to human health. The World Health Organization singled out CR-Kp as the leading priority area for research, drug development, and global surveillance in the coming years [2]. Because of CR-Kp ’s resistance to almost all available antibiotics, infections with CR-Kp significantly correlate to increased mortality rates, particularly among patients with prolonged hospitalization and those who are severely-ill with exposure to invasive devices [3].
Source: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents - Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research