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Carbapenem-Resistant Infections in Neonates and Children in Latin America: A Literature Review
Gabriella Shanks1, Louis Grandjean2
1Charité-Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Institute of Tropical Medicine and International Health, Berlin, Germany.
Insights
Carbapenem resistance is a growing threat in Latin American children and neonates. Infections caused by these resistant bacteria lead to high mortality rates, underscoring the need for better antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Microbiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Carbapenems are crucial broad-spectrum antibiotics for multidrug-resistant infections.
- Carbapenem resistance is rising globally, with limited data in pediatric populations.
- Latin America faces a growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance in neonates and children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the prevalence and characteristics of carbapenem-resistant infections in Latin American neonates and children.
- To identify common pathogens and resistance mechanisms in this demographic.
- To assess the mortality associated with these infections.
Main Methods:
- A comprehensive literature search was performed using PubMed/Medline and SCO SCOPUS.
- Screened 551 titles and included 17 relevant articles for the review.
- Analyzed data on predominant isolates, resistance genes, and mortality rates.
Main Results:
- Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most frequent isolate (11/17 studies).
- The KPC gene was the most commonly identified carbapenem resistance gene.
- Mortality rates ranged significantly, from 13% to 52.6%.
Conclusions:
- Carbapenem-resistant infections are a significant public health concern in Latin American neonates and children.
- High mortality rates emphasize the urgent need for improved antimicrobial stewardship.
- Enhanced surveillance strategies are critical to combatting resistance in pediatric populations.
Abstract:
Carbapenems are broad-spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics that are increasingly being used worldwide to treat multidrug-resistant infections, but since their introduction, carbapenem resistance has emerged. This phenomenon has been well documented in the adult population, but there is a paucity of evidence from the neonatal and pediatric populations. A literature search of carbapenem-resistant infections in Latin American neonates and children was conducted via PubMed/Medline and SCOPUS: 551 titles were screened, and 17 articles were included in the review. The most commonly reported predominant isolate was Klebsiella pneumoniae (11 of 17 studies). Genotypic data were available in 10 of 17 studies, and the KPC gene was the most commonly reported resistance gene. The mortality rate ranged from 13% to 52.6%. Carbapenem-resistant infections are prevalent in children and neonates in Latin America and are associated with high rates of mortality, highlighting the need for enhanced antimicrobial stewardship and surveillance within these populations.
