title: The epidemiology of carbapenemases in Latin America and the Caribbean.
abstract: Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas spp., and Acinetobacter spp. infections are major causes of morbidity and mortality, especially due to the emergence and spread of β-lactamases. Carbapenemases, which are β-lactamases with the capacity to hydrolyze or inactivate carbapenems, have become a serious concern as they have the largest hydrolytic spectrum and therefore limit the utility of most β-lactam antibiotics. Areas covered: Here, we present an update of the current status of carbapenemases in Latin America and the Caribbean. Expert commentary: The increased frequency of reports on carbapenemases in Latin America and the Caribbean shows that they have successfully spread and have even become endemic in some countries. Countries such as Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and Mexico account for the majority of these reports. Early suspicion and detection along with implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs in all healthcare settings are crucial for the control and prevention of carbapenemase-producing bacteria.
authors.affiliation: a Bacterial Resistance and Hospital Epidemiology Unit , International Center for Medical Research and Training (CIDEIM) , Cali , Colombia.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Escandón-Vargas
authors.affiliation: a Bacterial Resistance and Hospital Epidemiology Unit , International Center for Medical Research and Training (CIDEIM) , Cali , Colombia.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reyes
authors.affiliation: a Bacterial Resistance and Hospital Epidemiology Unit , International Center for Medical Research and Training (CIDEIM) , Cali , Colombia.
authors.forename: Sergio
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.affiliation: a Bacterial Resistance and Hospital Epidemiology Unit , International Center for Medical Research and Training (CIDEIM) , Cali , Colombia.|b Molecular Genetics and Antimicrobial Resistance Unit, International Center for Microbial Genomics , Universidad El Bosque , Bogotá , Colombia.
authors.forename: María Virginia
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Villegas
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017691:Caribbean Region; D006090:Gram-Negative Bacteria / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D007843:Latin America; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance / Q000235:genetics*; D001618:beta-Lactamases / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D001618:beta-Lactamases; C063912:carbapenemase
keywords: Acinetobacter baumannii; Carbapenemases; Enterobacteriaceae; Latin America; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; antimicrobial resistance; carbapenems; β-lactamases