Journal Article

Increased Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales Bacteria in Latin America and the Caribbean during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Mayta-Barrios, Maritza, Sosa, Aldo, Touchet, Nancy Melgarejo, Pillonetto, Marcelo, Ramón-Pardo, Pilar, Melano, Roberto Gustavo, Shal, Justina, Thomas, Genara Romero, Quiroz, Rodolfo, Galas, Marcelo Fabián, Pasterán, Fernando, Busignani, Sofía, Mazariegos Herrera, Carmen Julia, Jiménez Pearson, María Antonieta, Satan-Salazar, Carolina, Rosas, Verónica, de Souza Peral, Renata Tigulini, Velásquez, Selene del Carmen González, Vega, Mariana López, Ovalle, Mariá Victoria, El-Omeiri, Nathalie, Chacón, Grettel Chanto, Corso, Alejandra, Hormazábal, Juan Carlos, Salgado, Nuris, Mogdasy, Cristina, Saavedra, Sandra Yamile, Carbon, Eric, Villavicencio, Fernando, Araya, Pamela, Ramírez-Illescas, Juan

2022

Overview

During 2020-2021, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean reported clinical emergence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales that had not been previously characterized locally, increased prevalence of carbapenemases that had previously been detected, and co-production of multiple carbapenemases in some isolates. These increases were likely fueled by changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including empirical antibiotic use for potential COVID-19-related bacterial infections and healthcare limitations resulting from the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases. Strengthening antimicrobial resistance surveillance, epidemiologic research, and infection prevention and control programs and antimicrobial stewardship in clinical settings can help prevent emergence and transmission of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales.

• Publisher: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Subject: Anti-Bacterial Agents - pharmacology / Anti-Bacterial Agents - therapeutic use / Antibiotics / Antimicrobial agents / Bacteria / Bacterial diseases / Bacterial Proteins - genetics / beta-Lactamases - genetics / coronavirus disease / Coronaviruses / COVID-19 / COVID-19 - epidemiology / Drug resistance / Enzymes / Epidemiology / Genes / Humans / Increased Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales Bacteria in Latin America and the Caribbean during the COVID-19 Pandemic / Infections / Laboratories / Latin America - epidemiology / Microorganisms / Online Report / Pandemics / Pathogens / Public health / respiratory infections / SARS / SARS-CoV-2 / Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 / Surveillance