What is it about?
Klebsiella pneumoniae bacteria that produce carbapenemases are resistant to almost all antibiotics, including carbapenems, which are usually the last reliable option. Solid organ transplant recipients, who take drugs that suppress their immune system, are particularly exposed to these infections. In this letter we discuss what is known about mortality caused by carbapenemase-producing K. pneumoniae in transplant patients, and highlight the gaps and limitations in the available data.
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Why is it important?
Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella has spread widely, particularly in Italy, and transplant centres must balance the benefits of transplantation against the risk of these infections. Understanding their real impact on survival is essential for prevention strategies, screening policies and treatment decisions.
Perspectives
In high-resistance countries such as Italy, carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella became a daily challenge in transplant wards. With this letter we wanted to stimulate better studies, because decisions about such fragile patients need solid evidence.
Professor Stefano Di Bella
Universita degli Studi di Trieste
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Carbapenemase-producingKlebsiella pneumoniae-related mortality among solid organ-transplanted patients: do we know enough?, Transplant Infectious Disease, April 2013, Wiley,
DOI: 10.1111/tid.12085.
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