Carbapenem-resistant infections on the rise in Europe: ECDC
Antibiotic resistance is showing a marked increase of carbapenem-resistant infections in the European Union (EU), according to a European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) press release Friday.
According to the ECDC just before the 6th European Antibiotic Awareness Day on Nov. 18, the carbapenems are a major last-line class of antibiotics used to treat healthcare-associated infections. The proportion of Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections that is resistant to carbapenems has increased between 2009 and 2012, to above 5% in 5 countries, mostly in the south of Europe. A new serious concern is the emergence and spread of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter species, which is above 25% in 8 of 18 countries reporting data. This indicates even more seriously limited options for treatment of patients with Acinetobacter infections.
ECDC Director, Dr. Marc Sprenger said: “The data show that carbapenem-resistant infections are increasing in numbers and geographic spread across Europe. Since 2009, it has become increasingly common for hospitals to be faced with treating patients that have carbapenem-resistant infections, often meaning that old and toxic drugs are used. Given their very high proportion of carbapenem resistance, Acinetobacter infections already are serious problem for hospitals in many European countries.”
Concerning the EU country’s guidance and control of these serious infections, nearly half, 17 of the 38 participating countries still lack guidance for control of carbapenem-resistant infections, and only 2 countries reported having specific guidance to deal with carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter infections.
Dr. Sprenger went on to say:”There is an urgent need for all European countries to have in place national guidance documents, so that hospitals faced with carbapenem-resistant infections can take action to control the spread and minimise the impact of outbreaks on patients. Together with infection control measures, improving antibiotic use is the most important action needed to greatly slow the very worrying development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.”
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