Early KPC-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae Bacteremia among Intensive Care Unit Patients Non-Colonized upon Admission

Abstract

Among 140 patients colonized by KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-Kp) between fourth and seventh day of Intensive Care Unit stay, 24 developed bacteraemia immediately after colonization. Colistin-resistance of the colonizing isolate was the factor significantly associated with early KPC-Kp bacteraemia (P < 0.001; OR 6.6, 95% CI 2.4–18.4), a worrisome finding since infections by colistin-resistant isolates is associated with increased mortality due to limited remaining therapeutic options.

Keywords

• bacteremia
• carbapenemase
• colistin-resistance
• critically ill patients