Abstract

SUAREZ, CARLOS JOSÉ; KATTAN, JUAN NICOLÁS; GUZMAN, ANA MARÍA  and  VILLEGAS, MARÍA VIRGINIA. Resistance mechanisms to carabapenems in P. aeuriginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacteriaceae and strategies for prevention and control. Infect. [online]. 2006, vol.10, n.2, pp.85-93. ISSN 0123-9392.

Resistance to carbapenems is rare, particularly among members of the Enterobacteriaceae family. However, over the last years, reports of Enterobacteriaceae strains resistant to carbapenems have increased. On the other hand, carbapenem resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii is much more frequent. Research on the topic has demonstrated that to acquire carbapenem resistance, a combination of various resistance mechanisms is needed. The most important combination described to date has been the production of a ß-lactamase together with a decreased permeability through the outer membrane secondary to the loss of porins. The ß-lactamases involved in this resistance have been mainly the AmpC type ß-lactamases and the carbapenemases. Current strategies for resistance control within hospitals are still based on a strict implementation of contact barriers and hand washing associated with a correct use of the available antibiotics.

Keywords : Enterobacteriaceae; carbapenems; bacterial resistance; carbapenemases; ß-lactams; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Acinetobacter baumannii.

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