Carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and Hematologic Malignancies (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/20/7/13-0094)

摘要

To the Editor: Until a few years ago, the most frequent microbiologically documented cause of severe bloodstream infections among patients with hematologic malignancies was gram-positive bacteria (1). However, over the years, gram-negative bacteria have become the main infectious cause of death among patients with hematologic malignancies, and rates of different phenotypes associated with antimicrobial drug resistance are increasing (2). This trend could be the result of increasing empirical use of antimicrobial drug therapy and prophylaxis and use of new, more effective antimicrobial drugs. In particular, over the past few years at our hospital (Agostino Gemelli Teaching Hospital, Rome, Italy), we have observed a progressive increase in bloodstream infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase–producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp), which are responsible for a dramatic new scenario.