The global epidemiology of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) are an important and increasing threat to global health. Both clonal spread and plasmid-mediated transmission contribute to the ongoing rise in incidence of these bacteria. Among the 4 classes of β-lactamases defined by the Ambler classification system, the carbapenemases that confer carbapenem resistance in Enterobacteriaceae belong to 3 of them: Class A (K. pneumoniae carbapenemases, KPC), Class B (metallo-β-lactamases, MBL including New Delhi metallo-β-lactamases, NDM) and Class D (OXA-48-like carbapenemases). KPC-producing CPE are the most commonly occurring CPE in the United States. MBL-producing CPE have been most commonly associated with the Indian Subcontinent as well as with specific countries in Europe, including Romania, Denmark, Spain, and Hungary. The epicenter of OXA-48-like-producing is in Turkey and surrounding countries. Detailed knowledge of the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of CPE is essential to stem the spread of these pathogens.