Carbapenemase reports from the Balkans: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Carbapenemase-producing bacteria (CPB) pose a significant global public health risk.
• Infection control measures are widely implemented across Europe to combat CPB dissemination.
• The Balkan Peninsula is recognized as a reservoir for carbapenemase-encoding genes, notably NDM-1.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review existing English literature on CPB in Balkan countries.
• To assess the availability of data on CPB prevalence and characteristics within the Balkan region.
• To correlate findings with international reports concerning CPB detection linked to patient transfers from the Balkans.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review of studies on carbapenemase-producing bacteria.
• Data extraction from publications across Balkan countries.
• Correlation analysis with foreign reports on carbapenemase detection.

Main Results:

• Data on carbapenemase-producing bacteria in many Balkan countries are scarce in English literature.
• The Balkans are a significant reservoir for carbapenemase-encoding genes, including NDM-1.
• Patient transfers from the Balkans may contribute to CPB spread in Europe.

Conclusions:

• There is a critical need for more published research on CPB in the Balkan region.
• Enhanced surveillance and data sharing are crucial for effective European infection control.
• Understanding the epidemiology of CPB in the Balkans is vital to mitigate international spread.