Increased Detection of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales Bacteria in Latin America and the Caribbean during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Genara Romero Thomas, Alejandra Corso, Fernando Pasterán, Justina Shal, Aldo Sosa, Marcelo Pillonetto, Renata Tigulini de Souza Peral, Juan Carlos Hormazábal, Pamela Araya, Sandra Yamile Saavedra, María Victoria Ovalle, María Antonieta Jiménez Pearson, Grettel Chanto Chacón, Eric Carbon, Carmen Julia Mazariegos Herrera, Selene del Carmen González Velásquez, Carolina Satan-Salazar, Fernando Villavicencio, Nancy Melgarejo Touchet, Sofía Busignani, Maritza Mayta-Barrios, Juan Ramírez-Illescas, Mariana López Vega, Cristina Mogdasy, Verónica Mundo Rosas, Nuris Salgado, Rodolfo Quiroz, Nathalie El-Omeiri, Marcelo Galas, Pilar Ramón-Pardo, Roberto G. Melano
Abstract
During 2020-2021, countries in Latin America and the Caribbean reported clinical emergence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales that had not been previously characterized locally, increased prevalence of carbapenemases that had previously been detected, and co-production of multiple carbapenemases in some isolates. These increases were likely fueled by changes related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including empirical antibiotic use for potential COVID-19-related bacterial infections and healthcare limitations resulting from the rapid rise in COVID-19 cases. Strengthening antimicrobial resistance surveillance, epidemiologic research, and infection prevention and control programs and antimicrobial stewardship in clinical settings can help prevent emergence and transmission of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales.