Update on the epidemiology of carbapenemases in Latin America and the Caribbean
Juan Carlos García-Betancur, Tobías Manuel Appel, Germán Esparza, Ana Cristina Gales, Gabriel Levy-Hara, Wanda Cornistein, Silvio Vega, Duilio Núñez, Luis E. Cuéllar, Luis Bavestrello, Paulo Castañeda-Méndez, Juan Villalobos-Vindas, María Virginia Villegas
Abstract
Introduction Carbapenemases are β-lactamases able to hydrolyze a wide range of β-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems. Carbapenemase production in Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter spp., with and without the co-expression of other β-lactamases is a serious public health threat. Carbapenemases belong to three main classes according to the Ambler classification: class A, class B, and class D.Areas covered Carbapenemase-bearing pathogens are endemic in Latin America. In this review, we update the status of carbapenemases in Latin America and the Caribbean.Expert opinion Understanding the current epidemiology of carbapenemases in Latin America and the Caribbean is of critical importance to improve infection control policies limiting the dissemination of multi-drug-resistant pathogens and in implementing appropriate antimicrobial therapy.