Abstract
Carbapenem-hydrolysing β-lactamases are the most powerful β-lactamases, being able to hydrolyse almost all β-lactams. They are mostly of the KPC, VIM, IMP, NDM and OXA-48 types. Their current extensive spread worldwide in Enterobacteriaceae is an important source of concern, as these carbapenemase producers are multidrug-resistant. Detection of infected patients and of carriers are the two main approaches for prevention of their spread. Phenotypic and molecular-based techniques are able to identify these carbapenemase producers, although with variable efficiencies. The detection of carriers still relies mostly on the use of screening culture media.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 432-438 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | Clinical Microbiology and Infection |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 May 2012 |
Keywords
- Antibiotic
- Carbapenem
- Gram-negatives
- Resistance
- β-lactams