Carbapenem-resistant non-glucose-fermenting gram-negative bacilli: the missing piece to the puzzle

TJ Gniadek, KC Carroll, PJ Simner - Journal of clinical …, 2016 - Am Soc Microbiol
TJ Gniadek, KC Carroll, PJ Simner
Journal of clinical microbiology, 2016Am Soc Microbiol
The non-glucose-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli Pseudomonas aeruginosa and
Acinetobacter baumannii are increasingly acquiring carbapenem resistance. Given their
intrinsic antibiotic resistance, this can cause extremely difficult-to-treat infections.
Additionally, resistance gene transfer can occur between Gram-negative species, regardless
of their ability to ferment glucose. Thus, the acquisition of carbapenemase genes by these
organisms increases the risk of carbapenemase spread in general. Ultimately, infection …
Abstract
The non-glucose-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are increasingly acquiring carbapenem resistance. Given their intrinsic antibiotic resistance, this can cause extremely difficult-to-treat infections. Additionally, resistance gene transfer can occur between Gram-negative species, regardless of their ability to ferment glucose. Thus, the acquisition of carbapenemase genes by these organisms increases the risk of carbapenemase spread in general. Ultimately, infection control practitioners and clinical microbiologists need to work together to determine the risk carried by carbapenem-resistant non-glucose-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli (CR-NF) in their institution and what methods should be considered for surveillance and detection of CR-NF.
American Society for Microbiology