title: Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae: a review of epidemiological and clinical aspects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The indiscriminate use of antibiotics associated with other situations has revealed a considerable increase in outbreaks caused by microorganisms resistant to antimicrobial drugs. Among these is the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review provides an overview of the KPC-producing K. pneumoniae with emphasis on the epidemiological and clinical aspects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The KPC-producing K. pneumoniae was first described in the US. Most cases were reported between 2007 and 2009. It is widespread in almost all continents. The presence of severe comorbidities, previous use of fluoroquinolones and broad-spectrum cephalosporin are independent factors for this type of infection. Besides the increasing number of resistant strains that greatly complicates the therapeutic management of patients, the clinical characteristics of infection make the diagnosis difficult, resulting in high morbidity and mortality rates. The spread of KPC-producing K. pneumoniae shows how we are prone to pandemics. Transport systems, the exchange of healthcare professionals, the transfer of patients between hospitals and, mainly, the lack of preventive measures such as hand washing are related to the spread of KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in virtually all continents.
authors.affiliation: University of Southern Santa Catarina, Unisul, Master Programme in Health Sciences, Av José Acácio Moreira, Tubarão 88704-900, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rosemeri Maurici
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: da Silva
authors.forename: Jefferson
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Traebert
authors.forename: Dayani
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galato
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007710:Klebsiella Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D007711:Klebsiella pneumoniae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000201:enzymology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D017211:Treatment Failure; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001618:beta-Lactamases; C063912:carbapenemase