Molecular epidemiology of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in Finland, 2012–2018

• DOI: 10.1007/s10096-020-03885-w
• Publication Date: 2020-07-08T10:03:43Z
• Authors: Kati Räisänen; Outi Lyytikäinen; Jari Kauranen; Eveliina Tarkka; Benita Forsblom-H...; Juha O. Grönroos; Risto Vuento; Dinah Arifulla; Emmi Sarvikivi; Saija Toura; Jari Jalava
• Keywords: Citrobacter freundii; Molecular Epidemiology; Medical microbiology; clone (Java method); Multilocus sequence typing; Beta-lactamase

Abstract Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) pose an increasing threat to patient safety and healthcare systems globally. We present molecular epidemiology of CPE in Finland during 2012–2018 with detailed characteristics strains causing clusters the same time period. All Finnish clinical microbiology laboratories send isolates reduced susceptibility carbapenems or producing carbapenemase reference laboratory for further characterization by whole genome sequencing (WGS). In total, 231 from 202 patients were identified 2012–2018. Of strains, 59% found screening 32% specimens, latter most commonly urine. Travel and/or hospitalization history abroad was reported 108/171 (63%). The common species Klebsiella pneumoniae (45%), Escherichia coli (40%), Citrobacter freundii (6%), genes bla NDM-like (35%), OXA-48-like (33%), KPC-like (31%). During 2012–2018, annual number increased 9 70 different sequence types 7 33, became prevalent. clusters, 3/8 linked traveling 5/8 caused K. clone clonal complex 258. Most KPC. High variety among indicates that majority cases detected are likely imported foreign countries. Nearly one-third not suggesting there is hidden transmission occurring settings.