A review on bacterial resistance to carbapenems: Epidemiology, detection and treatment options

Abstract

Carbapenems are a class of antimicrobial agents reserved for infections caused by multidrug-resistant microorganisms. The emergence of carbapenem resistance has become a serious public health threat. This type of antimicrobial resistance is spreading at an alarming rate, resulting in major outbreaks and treatment failure of community-acquired and nosocomial infections caused by the clinically relevant carbapenem-producing Enterobacteriaceae or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae. This review is focused on carbapenem resistance, including mechanisms of resistance, history and epidemiology, phenotypic and genotypic detection in the clinically relevant bacterial pathogens and the possible treatment options available. Lay abstract Carbapenems are antimicrobial drugs used for treating infections caused by bacteria that are resistant to multiple antibiotics. In recent years, the rise of carbapenem resistance has become a serious public health threat. Carbapenem resistance is spreading rapidly, causing several outbreaks and treatment failure of many infections. This review focuses on bacterial resistance to carbapenems, including mechanisms of resistance, the history and spread of such resistance, how to detect carbapenem resistance in bacteria causing infections. It also discusses the possible options for treatment.