Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 12, 2026

Rapid Detection of Bacterial Pathogens Causing Lower Respiratory Tract Infections via Microfluidic-Chip-Based Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification
06:11

Rapid Detection of Bacterial Pathogens Causing Lower Respiratory Tract Infections via Microfluidic-Chip-Based Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification

Published on: March 29, 2024

Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae testing susceptible to cefepime by reference methods

Renata C Picão1, Ronald N Jones, Rodrigo E Mendes

  • 1Instituto de Microbiologia Paulo de Góes da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. renata.picao@micro.ufrj.br

Journal of Clinical Microbiology
|April 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Some Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing Enterobacteriaceae showed susceptibility to cefepime, ceftazidime, and meropenem. This finding may complicate treatment decisions for clinicians and laboratory staff.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Antimicrobial Resistance

Background:

  • Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) is a significant cause of antimicrobial resistance.
  • Enterobacteriaceae producing KPC are a growing public health concern.
  • Accurate susceptibility testing is crucial for guiding antimicrobial therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the in vitro beta-lactam susceptibility of KPC-producing Enterobacteriaceae.
  • To determine the prevalence of susceptibility to cefepime, ceftazidime, and meropenem in these isolates.

Main Methods:

  • Reference broth microdilution was used to determine antimicrobial susceptibility.
  • 499 isolates of KPC-producing Enterobacteriaceae were analyzed.
  • Current CLSI breakpoints were applied for categorization.

Main Results:

  • 14.4% of KPC-producing Enterobacteriaceae isolates were susceptible to cefepime.
  • 2.6% and 3.0% of isolates were susceptible to ceftazidime and meropenem, respectively.
  • The presence of susceptible isolates highlights potential challenges in therapeutic selection.

Conclusions:

  • A notable proportion of KPC-producing Enterobacteriaceae exhibit susceptibility to certain beta-lactam antibiotics, including cefepime.
  • These findings underscore the complexity of antimicrobial resistance and the need for careful interpretation of susceptibility data.
  • Cefepime-susceptible KPC-producing isolates may pose challenges for clinicians and laboratory personnel in making informed treatment choices.

More Related Videos

One-day Workflow Scheme for Bacterial Pathogen Detection and Antimicrobial Resistance Testing from Blood Cultures08:30

One-day Workflow Scheme for Bacterial Pathogen Detection and Antimicrobial Resistance Testing from Blood Cultures

Published on: July 9, 2012

Related Concept Videos

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...
Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA01:25

Mechanism of Antibiotic Resistance in MRSA

Antibiotic resistance in bacteria arises when microorganisms evolve the ability to withstand drugs designed to kill them or inhibit their growth, rendering once-effective treatments useless. This phenomenon, driven by genetic change and selection under antibiotic exposure, poses a profound threat to modern medicine. Mechanisms include drug-inactivating enzymes (e.g., β-lactamases), efflux pumps that eject antibiotics, mutations altering antibiotic targets, decreased drug uptake, and acquisition...