title: 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.affiliation: Service de Bactériologie-Virologie-Hygiène, INSERM U914 "Emerging Resistance to Antibiotics", Hôpital de Bicêtre, Assistance Publique/Hôpitaux de Paris, Faculté de Médecine and Université Paris Sud, K -Bicêtre, France.
authors.forename: Patrice
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nordmann
authors.forename: Gaelle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Cuzon
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Naas