The World Health Organization warned on Wednesday that the highly resistant and multi-resistant bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae (hvKp) is on the rise in Europe. European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC)Noting that reported cases increased from 12 to 143 since 2021.
Another concern, according to the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention, is the increase from four to 10 in the number of countries with registered cases. Infection with hvKp type 23a highly virulent bacterium that has acquired a growing set of genes associated with resistance to antibiotics of last resort used to treat serious infections.
The increase in cases of multidrug-resistant hvKp is “It is cause for concern, due to the severity of the infection, as well as resistance to last-line antibiotics, which makes the infection difficult to treat.”Dominique Monnet, Head of the Department of Antimicrobial Resistance and Healthcare-Associated Infections at the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a statement by the European organization.
“The spread of multidrug-resistant hvKp in healthcare settings is expected to increase mortality among vulnerable patient populations in these settings.”The organization warned.
According to ECDC, Rapid Updated Risk Assessment “Provides evidence of the ongoing spread of a specific strain of hvKp ST23 (K1 strain) among healthcare facilities in an EU country.”Ireland, over a period of five years, “Despite enhanced control efforts.”
Cases of hvKp ST23-K1 with possible in-country transmission have also been detected in three other European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) countries – France, Latvia and Lithuania – in which no such cases have yet been detected. Confirmed with detailed epidemiological investigations.
The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention stated: “To date, the possibility of it occurring due to transmission within the country has not been confirmed using epidemiological data. Similar spread within and between healthcare facilities may already be occurring in other EU/EEA countries with surveillance.” “less established.”
“It can cause serious infections in healthy people.”
The emergence of cases of highly virulent bacteria along with last-line antibiotic resistance is a matter of concern “Worrying”then, “In contrast to 'classical' strains of Klebsiella pneumoniae, hvKp strains can cause serious infections in healthy individuals, often complicated by spread to multiple sites in the body.”according to ECDC.
Previously, hvKp strains were found mainly in Asia Experts explained that these bacteria are mainly acquired in the community, and are rarely resistant to antibiotics.
However, recent reports indicate an increase in geographic distribution, healthcare association, and multidrug resistance.
“With the convergence of virulence and antimicrobial resistance in hvKp strains, there is the potential for intractable infections in previously healthy adults. Higher rates of morbidity and mortality could be expected if hvKp strains are resistant to last-line carbapenem antibiotics.” The disease control agency said in healthcare settings and affects a group of vulnerable patients.
The European Center for Disease Control and Prevention highlights the importance of early detection.
“Response options include alerts to clinicians and clinical microbiology laboratories, establishing sufficient laboratory capacity to detect HIV cases, including whole genome sequencing, and submitting all suspected cases of HIV with or without additional antimicrobial resistance to reference standards.” National Laboratories, and called for improving infection prevention, as well as taking control measures in health units.
“The potential collection of data on HIV cases, including epidemiological and clinical data on infection, transmission and associated risk factors, would improve understanding of national routes of spread and transmission and identify the need for increased surveillance.”reads the information released this Wednesday.
The report did not mention Portugal. Lusa contacted the Directorate General of Health (DGS) about the possible discovery of a case in the country, but has not yet received a response.
