We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




European Hospitals Instrumental in Spread of Drug-Resistant Bacteria

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 05 Aug 2019
Print article
Antibiotic-resistant strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae are spreading through hospitals in Europe, claims a new study.

Researchers at the University of Freiburg (Germany), the Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance (Cambridge, United Kingdom), the University of Florence (Italy), and other institutions conducted a study to analyze genomic sequences and epidemiological data of over 1,700 K. pneumoniae samples isolated from patients in 244 hospitals in 32 countries. The results revealed that acquisition of carbapenemase--an enzyme that renders the antibiotic carbapenem useless--is the main cause of resistance, occurring across diverse phylogenetic backgrounds.

They also found that 69.9% of the carbapenemase-positive isolates were concentrated in four clonal lineages and their derivatives. A subsequent analysis of the genetic and geographic distances between isolates with different β-lactam resistance determinants suggests that the propensity of K. pneumoniae to spread in hospital environments correlates with the degree of resistance. Over half of the hospitals that contributed carbapenemase-positive isolates probably experienced within-hospital transmission, and inter-hospital spread was far more frequent within, rather than between, countries. The study was published on July 29, 2019, in Nature Microbiology.

“The 'One Health' approach to antibiotic resistance focuses on the spread of pathogens through humans, animals, and the environment, including hospitals. But in the case of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae, our findings imply hospitals are the key facilitator of transmission,” said lead author Sophia David, PhD, of the Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance. “Over half of the samples carrying a carbapenemase gene were closely related to others collected from the same hospital, suggesting that the bacteria are spreading from person-to-person, primarily within hospitals.”

“We are optimistic that with good hospital hygiene, which includes early identification and isolation of patients carrying these bacteria, we can not only delay the spread of these pathogens, but also successfully control them,” said senior author Professor Hajo Grundmann, MD, head of the Institute for Infection Prevention and Hospital Hygiene at the University of Freiburg. “This research emphasises the importance of infection control and ongoing genomic surveillance of antibiotic-resistant bacteria to ensure we detect new resistant strains early, and act to combat the spread of antibiotic resistance.”

Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is the primary mechanism for the spread of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. Genes responsible for antibiotic resistance in one species of bacteria can be transferred to another species of bacteria through various mechanisms of HGT such as transformation, transduction and conjugation, subsequently arming the antibiotic resistant genes' recipient against antibiotics. The rapid spread of antibiotic resistance genes in this manner is becoming medically challenging to deal with.

Related Links:
University of Freiburg
Centre for Genomic Pathogen Surveillance
University of Florence

Gold Member
STI Test
Vivalytic Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Array
Gold Member
12-Channel ECG
CM1200B
Silver Member
Compact 14-Day Uninterrupted Holter ECG
NR-314P
New
Diagnostic Display System
C3MPL

Print article

Channels

Surgical Techniques

view channel
Image: The Early Bird Bleed Monitoring System provides visual and audible indicators of the onset and progression of bleeding events (Photo courtesy of Saranas)

Novel Technology Monitors and Lowers Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Heart Procedures

Bleeding complications at the femoral access site can significantly hamper recovery, affecting the success of procedures, patient satisfaction, and overall healthcare costs. It is crucial for surgeons... Read more

Patient Care

view channel
Image: The newly-launched solution can transform operating room scheduling and boost utilization rates (Photo courtesy of Fujitsu)

Surgical Capacity Optimization Solution Helps Hospitals Boost OR Utilization

An innovative solution has the capability to transform surgical capacity utilization by targeting the root cause of surgical block time inefficiencies. Fujitsu Limited’s (Tokyo, Japan) Surgical Capacity... Read more

Health IT

view channel
Image: First ever institution-specific model provides significant performance advantage over current population-derived models (Photo courtesy of Mount Sinai)

Machine Learning Model Improves Mortality Risk Prediction for Cardiac Surgery Patients

Machine learning algorithms have been deployed to create predictive models in various medical fields, with some demonstrating improved outcomes compared to their standard-of-care counterparts.... Read more

Point of Care

view channel
Image: The new eye-safe laser technology can diagnose traumatic brain injury (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Novel Diagnostic Hand-Held Device Detects Known Biomarkers for Traumatic Brain Injury

The growing need for prompt and efficient diagnosis of traumatic brain injury (TBI), a major cause of mortality globally, has spurred the development of innovative diagnostic technologies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2024 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.