Carbapenemase-Producing Organisms as Leading Cause of Hospital Infections

About this Research Topic

Background

Carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative organisms currently constitute a severe public health problem. Among them, the most critical threat is posed by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriacae (CPE), Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA). Infections by these organisms are increasingly occurring worldwide, are associated with adverse patient outcomes and cause a significant burden on healthcare systems. These pathogens have the ability to spread rapidly among patients, due to their ability to survive and propagate in the hospital environment and resistances are further spread due to the mobile genetic elements carrying the responsible genetic loci. Carbapenemase-producing organisms are by definition resistant to multiple antibiotic classes, resulting in limited therapeutic options and difficult-to-treat infections, with high morbidity and mortality rates. In addition, prompt detection of these organisms is paramount for implementation of appropriate infection control measures and early management.

It is therefore evident that infections by carbapenemase-producing organisms entail challenges in their detection, control and management. Their global health implications are reflected in the increasingly recorded numbers of published reports, studies and recommendations, emphasizing the urgent need for optimization of diagnostics and therapeutics, as well as for establishment of targeted and data-driven prevention and control policies.

The present Research topic “Carbapenemase-producing organisms as leading cause of hospital infections”, will focus to the above pathogens (CPE, CRAB, CRPA) and the infections they cause and aims to serve as a hub of research advancements in relation to these infections.

We invite contributors to submit primary and secondary research manuscripts (original articles, brief reports - not case reports, systematic reviews/meta-analyses) in the following primary areas:
• New or changing patterns in the epidemiology of infections
• Molecular determinants and mechanisms of dissemination of carbapenemases
• Diagnostics and detection methods
• Antimicrobial susceptibility assays
• Clinical characteristics and presentation
• Management, therapeutics and outcomes
• Measures, strategies, policies for prevention and control

Keywords: Carbapenem-resistant, Metallo-β-lactamase, Serine carbapenemase, Healthcare-associated infection, Infection control

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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