New Therapeutic Strategies Against Carbapenem-Resistant Gram-negative Bacteria

Book excerpt: The emergence of multi-drug resistance in bacterial pathogens poses a threat to human health. Carbapenem-resistant microorganisms, especially Acinetobacter baumannii, has emerged as a serious challenge, causing nosocomial infections and community-acquired outbreaks all over the world. This situation is becoming more and more dangerous leading to serious consequences globally. Intestinal Gram-negative bacilli resistant to cephalosporins are potentially pathogenic for intensive care unit (ICU) patients, leading to an increased use of carbapenems and consequently inducing their progressive inactivity. The emergence of carbapenem resistance is a major concern for ICUs. PCR and sequencing methodologies are used to search for beta-lactamase genes. The spread of blaNDM, blaVIM, blaOXA48 and blaKPC genes is common worldwide. The infections due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales especially Klebsiella pneumoniae has become a major public health concern considering this complicated problem from different points of view.