Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-KP) is a difficult-to-treat pathogen due to its multidrug-resistant phenotype. Cardiac surgery patients are at increased risk of developing KPC-KP infections compared to other populations, with previous KPC-KP colonization being a critical factor in influencing the risk of subsequent infection. Two different pieces of information are essential to comprehensively assess the local characteristics of KPC-KP colonization in cardiac surgery patients: (i) the local prevalence of colonization; (ii) the timing of colonization. Treatment of KPC-KP infections in cardiac surgery patients is a complex task, but more effective treatment options have recently become available. Nonetheless, implementation and full adherence to infection-control measures remain of pivotal importance for reducing the burden of KPC-KP infections in this peculiar population. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the available literature on the epidemiology and outcome of KPC-KP infections in cardiac surgery patients.

, , , , , ,
doi.org/10.1080/1120009X.2019.1685794, hdl.handle.net/1765/121645
Journal of Chemotherapy
Department of Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases

Del Puente, F. (Filippo), Giacobbe, D.R. (Daniele R.), Salsano, A. (Antonio), Maraolo, A.E. (Alberto E.), Ong, D.S.Y. (David S.Y.), Yusuf, E., … Viscoli, C. (Claudio). (2019). Epidemiology and outcome of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC-KP) infections in cardiac surgery patients: a brief narrative review. Journal of Chemotherapy. doi:10.1080/1120009X.2019.1685794