Recent emergence of carbapenem-resistant organisms in a low prevalence UK setting in London

Carbapenem-resistant organisms are emerging as a global health threat. The prevalence of CROs in London is largely unknown. A retrospective review of microbiology records indicates an increased in carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (none in 2011 to 1.3% of 386 in 2013, P = 0.073) and Acinetobacter baumannii (9.1% of 11 in 2011 to 31.2% of 16 in 2013, P = 0.001) in a background of low prevalence at a London hospital. This suggests that CROs may be emerging in our patient population. These increases demand an urgent enhanced surveillance response.