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Outbreak of multidrug-resistant CTX-M-15-producing Enterobacter cloacae in a neonatal intensive care unit

Jesús Oteo1, Emilia Cercenado2,3, Ana Vindel1

  • 1Antibiotic Laboratory, Department of Bacteriology, Centro Nacional de Microbiología, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain.

Journal of Medical Microbiology
|December 25, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Newborns are rarely infected by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. However, a neonatal intensive care unit outbreak involved 14 newborns with CTX-M-15-producing Enterobacter cloacae, highlighting a critical issue.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal intensive care unit epidemiology
  • Antimicrobial resistance
  • Clinical microbiology

Background:

  • Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae are uncommon causes of newborn infections.
  • Enterobacter cloacae is a potential nosocomial pathogen.

Observation:

  • A neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) reported 14 cases of infection or colonization by CTX-M-15-producing Enterobacter cloacae.
  • All seven infected neonates had significant underlying medical conditions.
  • Five infected neonates were successfully treated with meropenem; one untreated neonate died.

Findings:

  • CTX-M-15-producing Enterobacter cloacae can cause severe infections in vulnerable newborns.
  • Multidrug-resistant ESBL-producing Enterobacter cloacae represent a significant threat in neonatal populations.

Implications:

  • This highlights the critical clinical and epidemiological challenge posed by multidrug-resistant pathogens in neonatal intensive care units.
  • Effective treatment strategies, such as meropenem, are crucial for managing these infections.
  • Enhanced infection control measures are necessary to prevent outbreaks of resistant bacteria in NICUs.

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