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

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.

Primer reporte de Enterobacterales dobles productores de carbapenemasas en hospitales de Paraguay. Año 2021

RESUMEN Las carbapenemasas se encuentran ampliamente distribuidas en nuestro país, tanto en bacilos gramnegativos fermentadores como no fermentadores. Durante 2021, se ha reportado incremento de cepas con estas enzimas. Con el objetivo de evaluar la doble producción de carbapenemasas en Enterobacterales y comunicar su circulación, fue puesta a punto una PCR convencional múltiple. Estudio retrospectivo en 128 aislamientos provenientes de 20 centros colaboradores de la Red Nacional de Vigilancia de la RAM (Capital, Central e interior del país), remitidos al LCSP entre febrero y setiembre de 2021, para confirmación y genotipificación de carbapenemasas. Se realizaron pruebas fenotípicas y colorimétricas con sustratos específicos, y pruebas genotípicas (PCR convencional múltiple) para la detección simultánea de varios genes de resistencia (bla NDM, bla KPC, bla OXA-48-like, bla IMP y bla VIM). De los 128 aislamientos estudiados, 107 correspondieron a Klebsiella pneumoniae, 14 a Enterobacter cloacae complex, entre otros; aislados en mayor frecuencia de muestras de orina (30%), respiratorias (30%), sangre y catéter (24%). Los genes de resistencia a los carbapenemes detectados fueron: bla NDM (77,3%), bla KPC (17,2%); siendo confirmada la doble producción de carbapenemasas en 7 aislamientos (5,5%) provenientes de 4 centros diferentes de la capital de país y uno de Central; 6 de ellas (K. pneumoniae) con bla NDM+bla KPC y 1 (E. cloacae complex) con bla NDM+bla OXA-48-like; confirmando circulación de Enterobacterales dobles productores de carbapenemasas en el país (KPC+NDM y OXA+NDM); hallazgos que obligan a proveer de capacidades de detección, de manera a que se puedan tomar medidas oportunas y eficaces de contención y control.

ABSTRACT Carbapenemases are widely distributed in our country, both in fermenting and non-fermenting gram-negative bacilli. During 2021, an increase in strains with these enzymes has been reported. In order to evaluate the double production of carbapenemases in Enterobacterales and communicate their circulation, a multiple conventional PCR was set up. Retrospective study carried out in 128 isolates from 20 collaborating centers of the National AMR Surveillance Network (Capital, Central and interior of the country), sent to the LCSP between February and September 2021, for confirmation and genotyping of carbapenemases. Phenotypic and colorimetric tests were performed with specific substrates, as well as genotypic tests (multiple conventional PCR) for the simultaneous detection of several resistance genes (blaNDM, blaKPC, blaOXA-48-like, blaIMP and blaVIM). Of the 128 isolates studied, 107 corresponded to Klebsiella pneumoniae, 14 to Enterobacter cloacae complex, among others; isolated in higher frequency from urine (30%), respiratory (30%), blood and catheter (24%) samples. The genes for resistance to carbapenems detected were: blaNDM (77.3%), blaKPC (17.2%); the double production of carbapenemases was confirmed in 7 isolates (5.5%) from 4 different centers in the capital of the country and one in Central; 6 of them (K. pneumoniae) with blaNDM + blaKPC and 1 (E. cloacae complex) with blaNDM + blaOXA-48-like; confirming circulation of double Enterobacterales producers of carbapenemases in the country (KPC + NDM and OXA + NDM); findings that require the provision of detection capabilities, so that timely and effective containment and control measures can be taken.