Overview of the epidemiology and the threat of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPC) resistance

view of the epidemiology and the threat of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPC) resistance Review (2228) Total Article Views Authors: Chen LF, Anderson DJ, Paterson DL Published Date September 2012 Volume 2012:5 Pages 133 - 141 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2147/IDR.S26613 Received: 02 August 2012 Accepted: 22 August 2012 Published: 24 September 2012 Luke F Chen,1–4 Deverick J Anderson,1–4 David L Paterson5 1Duke Program for Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology, 2Duke Infection Control Outreach Network, 3Duke University Prevention Epicenter Program, 4Division of Infectious Diseases and International Health, Department of Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA; 5University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research (UQCCR), Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Campus, Brisbane, Australia Abstract: Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemases (KPCs) confer resistance to nearly all -lactams. This broad-spectrum drug resistance mechanism has rapidly spread in the United States and is reportedly increasing elsewhere in the world. Thus, the emergence of KPC resistance is a major threat to global health. This article reviews the epidemiology and provides an overview of the dissemination of KPC-producing organisms.