Carbapenem Resistance: Mechanisms and Drivers of Global Menace

The emergence of carbapenem-resistant bacterial pathogens is a significant and mounting health concern across the globe. At present, carbapenem resistance (CR) is considered as one of the most concerning resistance mechanisms and mainly found in gram-negative bacteria of the Enterobacteriaceae family. Although carbapenem resistance has been recognized in Enterobacteriaceae from last 20 years or so, recently it emerged as a global health issue as CR clonal dissemination of various Enterobacteriaceae members especially E. coli, and Klebsiella pneumoniae are reported from across the globe at an alarming rate. Phenotypically, carbapenems resistance is in due to the two key mechanisms, like structural mutation coupled with β-lactamase production and the ability of the pathogen to produce carbapenemases which ultimately hydrolyze the carbapenem. Additionally, penicillin-binding protein modification and efflux pumps are also responsible for the development of carbapenem resistance. Carbapenemases are classified into different classes which include Ambler classes A, B, and D. Several mobile genetic elements (MGEs) have their potential role in carbapenem resistance like Tn4401, Class I integrons, IncFIIK2, IncF1A, and IncI2. Taking together, resistance against carbapenems is continuously evolving and posing a significant health threat to the community. Variable mechanisms that are associated with carbapenem resistance, different MGEs, and supplementary mechanisms of antibiotic resistance in association with virulence factors are expanding day by day. Timely demonstration of this global health concern by using molecular tools, epidemiological investigations, and screening may permit the suitable measures to control this public health menace.

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4-Amino-2-Sulfanylbenzoic Acid as a Potent Subclass B3 Metallo-β-Lactamase-Specific Inhibitor Applicable for Distinguishing Metallo-β-Lactamase Subclasses

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.01197-19 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 63 (10) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Jun-ichi Wachino ◽

Reo Kanechi ◽

Erina Nishino ◽

Marie Mochizuki ◽

Wanchun Jin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Specific Inhibitor ◽

Carbapenem Resistance ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Health Concern ◽

Conserved Residues ◽

Content Type ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Promising Strategy ◽

Starting Point

ABSTRACT The number of cases of infection with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) has been increasing and has become a major clinical and public health concern. Production of metallo-β-lactamases (MBLs) is one of the principal carbapenem resistance mechanisms in CRE. Therefore, developing MBL inhibitors is a promising strategy to overcome the problems of carbapenem resistance conferred by MBLs. To date, the development and evaluation of MBL inhibitors have focused on subclass B1 MBLs but not on B3 MBLs. In the present study, we searched for B3 MBL (specifically, SMB-1) inhibitors and found thiosalicylic acid (TSA) to be a potent inhibitor of B3 SMB-1 MBL (50% inhibitory concentration [IC50], 0.95 μM). TSA inhibited the purified SMB-1 to a considerable degree but was not active against Escherichia coli cells producing SMB-1, as the meropenem (MEM) MIC for the SMB-1 producer was only slightly reduced with TSA. We then introduced a primary amine to TSA and synthesized 4-amino-2-sulfanylbenzoic acid (ASB), which substantially reduced the MEM MICs for SMB-1 producers. X-ray crystallographic analyses revealed that ASB binds to the two zinc ions, Ser221, and Thr223 at the active site of SMB-1. These are ubiquitously conserved residues across clinically relevant B3 MBLs. ASB also significantly inhibited other B3 MBLs, including AIM-1, LMB-1, and L1. Therefore, the characterization of ASB provides a starting point for the development of optimum B3 MBL inhibitors.

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Arising Prevalence of OXA-48 producer Escherichia coli and OXA-48 with NDM co-producer Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains

Revista Romana de Medicina de Laborator ◽

10.2478/rrlm-2019-0030 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 27 (3) ◽

pp. 319-326 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Aylin Uskudar-Guclu ◽

Mustafa Guney ◽

Ali Korhan Sig ◽

Selcuk Kilic ◽

Mehmet Baysallar

Keyword(s):

Antimicrobial Agents ◽

Carbapenem Resistance ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Resistant Isolate ◽

Diffusion Method ◽

Clinical Samples ◽

Disc Diffusion ◽

E Coli ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Resistance Rates

Abstract Background/aim: This prospective study aimed to determine the presence of the most common carbapenemase genes, blaOXA-48, blaKPC, blaIMP, blaVIM and blaNDM on carbapenem resistant clinical K.pneumoniae and E.coli isolates. Materials and methods: Isolates were selected according to EUCAST guideline; gradient test and disc diffusion with both meropenem and ertapenem discs. Resistance rates of these isolates to other antimicrobial agents were also examined by disc diffusion method. Carbapenem resistance gene were investigated by using Real-Time PCR. Results: A total of 3845 E. coli and 1689 K.pneumoniae isolates from clinical samples between January 2015 and April 2017 were evaluated. The 419 isolates were found as carbapenem resistant but only the first resistant isolate (n=155; 126 K.pneumoniae and 29 E.coli) of each patient were included. Carbapenem resistant isolates were most frequently isolated from intensive care units (48.8%). Colistin was the most effective antibiotic (91.0%). The 121 (78.1%) of the tested isolates were positive for OXA-48 (103 K.pneumoniae and 18 E.coli) and 9 K. pneumoniae carrying blaNDM were also positive for blaOXA-48. VIM, IMP and KPC type carbapenemases were not detected in any isolates. Conclusion: Carbapenem-resistant pathogens have been shown to be able to develop resistance mechanisms with more than one carbapenemase encoding gene.

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Activity of Imipenem-Relebactam against Carbapenem-Resistant Escherichia coli Isolates from the United States in Relation to Clonal Background, Resistance Genes, Coresistance, and Region

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.02408-19 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 64 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Brian D. Johnston ◽

Paul Thuras ◽

Stephen B. Porter ◽

Melissa Anacker ◽

Brittany VonBank ◽

...

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Escherichia Coli ◽

Carbapenem Resistance ◽

The United States ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Beta Lactamase ◽

Content Type ◽

E Coli ◽

Highly Active ◽

Carbapenem Resistant

ABSTRACT Imipenem-relebactam (I-R) is a recently developed carbapenem–beta-lactamase inhibitor combination agent that can overcome carbapenem resistance, which has now emerged in Escherichia coli, including sequence type 131 (ST131) and its fluoroquinolone-resistant H30R subclone, the leading cause of extraintestinal E. coli infections globally. To clarify the likely utility of I-R for carbapenem-resistant (CR) E. coli infections in the United States, we characterized 203 recent CR clinical E. coli isolates from across the United States (years 2002 to 2017) for phylogroup, clonal group (including ST131, H30R, and the CTX-M-15-associated H30Rx subset within H30R), relevant beta-lactamase genes, and broth microdilution MICs for I-R and 11 comparator agents. Overall, I-R was highly active (89% susceptible), more so than all comparators except tigecycline and colistin (both 99% susceptible). I-R’s activity varied significantly in relation to phylogroup, clonal background, resistance genotype, and region. It was greatest among phylogroup B2, ST131-H30R, H30Rx, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-positive, and northeast U.S. isolates and lowest among phylogroup C, New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-positive, and southeast U.S. isolates. Relebactam improved imipenem’s activity against CR isolates within each phylogroup—especially groups A, B1, and B2—and particularly against isolates containing KPC. I-R remained substantially active against isolates coresistant to comparator agents, albeit somewhat less so than against the corresponding susceptible isolates. These findings suggest that I-R should be useful for treating most CR E. coli infections in the United States, largely independent of coresistance, although this likely will vary in relation to the local prevalence of specific E. coli lineages and carbapenem resistance mechanisms.

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Emergence of carbapenem-resistant ST131 Escherichia coli carrying blaOXA-244 in Germany, 2019 to 2020

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/1560-7917.es.2020.25.46.2001815 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 25 (46) ◽

Author(s):

Sybille Welker ◽

Sébastien Boutin ◽

Thomas Miethke ◽

Klaus Heeg ◽

Dennis Nurjadi

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Carbapenem Resistance ◽

Health Concern ◽

Gram Negative Bacteria ◽

Public Health Concern ◽

Gram Negative ◽

E Coli ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

South West ◽

Tertiary Hospitals

The dissemination of carbapenem-producing Gram-negative bacteria is a major public health concern. We report the first detection of OXA-244-producing ST131 O16:H5 Escherichia coli in three patients from two tertiary hospitals in the south-west of Germany. OXA-244 is emerging in Europe. Because of detection challenges, OXA-244-producing E. coli may be under-reported. The emergence of carbapenem resistance in a globally circulating high-risk clone, such as ST131 E. coli is of clinical relevance and should be monitored closely.

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Prevalence of OXA-Type β-Lactamase Genes among Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Clinical Isolates in Thailand

Antibiotics ◽

10.3390/antibiotics9120864 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 864

Author(s):

Krit Thirapanmethee ◽

Thayapa Srisiri-a-nun ◽

Jantana Houngsaitong ◽

Preecha Montakantikul ◽

Piyatip Khuntayaporn ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acinetobacter Baumannii ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Carbapenem Resistance ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Clinical Isolates ◽

Health Concern ◽

Drug Of Choice ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Resistance Rates ◽

Tertiary Care Hospitals

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) is a critical health concern for the treatment of infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of CRAB emphasizing the presence of oxacillinase (OXA)-type β-lactamase-encoding genes, one of the most important carbapenem resistance mechanisms. In this study, a total of 183 non-repetitive CRAB isolates collected from 11 tertiary care hospitals across Thailand were investigated. As a result, the blaoxa-51-like gene, an intrinsic enzyme marker, was detected in all clinical isolates. The blaoxa-23-like gene was presented in the majority of isolates (68.31%). In contrast, the prevalence rates of blaoxa-40/24-like and blaoxa-58-like gene occurrences in CRAB isolates were only 4.92% and 1.09%, respectively. All isolates were resistant to carbapenems, with 100% resistance to imipenem, followed by meropenem (98.91%) and doripenem (94.54%). Most isolates showed high resistance rates to ciprofloxacin (97.81%), ceftazidime (96.72%), gentamicin (91.26%), and amikacin (80.87%). Interestingly, colistin was found to be a potential drug of choice due to the high susceptibility of the tested isolates to this antimicrobial (87.98%). Most CRAB isolates in Thailand were of ST2 lineage, but some belonged to ST25, ST98, ST129, ST164, ST215, ST338, and ST745. Further studies to monitor the spread of carbapenem-resistant OXA-type β-lactamase genes from A. baumannii in hospital settings are warranted.

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1443. Activity of Ceftazidime-Avibactam against Carbapemenase-negative Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) Isolates from US Hospitals

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1624 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S725-S725

Author(s):

Mariana Castanheira ◽

Timothy B Doyle ◽

Cory Hubler ◽

Rodrigo E Mendes ◽

Helio S Sader

Keyword(s):

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Chemical Diversity ◽

Services Research ◽

New Agents ◽

E Coli ◽

Department Of Health ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Center Research ◽

Research Grant

Abstract Background Most CRE isolates in US hospitals produce KPC enzymes, but some do not carry carbapenemases. We investigated the prevalence, resistance mechanisms and activity of ceftazidime-avibactam and comparator agents against CRE that did not carry carbapenemase genes from US hospitals. Additionally, meropenem-resistant isolates were tested for meropenem-vaborbactam. Methods A total of 28,904 Enterobacterales isolates were collected in 70 US hospitals during 2016-2018, and susceptibility tested by reference broth microdilution. Meropenem-vaborbactam was tested using lyophilized panels following the manufacturer’s instructions. CRE isolates were submitted to whole genome sequencing for the screening of b-lactamase genes, multilocus sequence typing, changes in outer membrane protein (OMP) genes and AmpC expression levels. Results A total of 304 (1.1%) CREs were observed in the study period and 45 (14.8%) isolates did not carry carbapenemases. These isolates were mainly Klebsiella aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae (11, 11 and 10 isolates, respectively), but also included 5 other species. Acquired b-lactamase genes were detected among 17 isolates and blaCTX-M-15 was the most common (13 isolates). All K. aerogenes and 10 E. cloacae did not carry acquired b-lactamase genes. Ceftazidime-avibactam (100% susceptible) inhibited all isolates at the current breakpoint, followed by tigecycline and amikacin (> 80% susceptible). Other comparators were not active against non-carbapenemase-producing CRE. Nine of 35 meropenem-resistant isolates displayed meropenem-vaborbactam MIC values of ≥ 8 mg/L (nonsusceptible). Further analysis showed that 23 isolates had disruption of OmpC/OmpK36, 4 had disrupted OmpF/OmpK35 and 13 had both OMP genes disrupted. Additionally, 7 isolates had elevated AmpC expression among 17 isolates tested. Among 7 E. coli, 4 were ST131 and only 2 of 10 K. pneumoniae were clonal complex 11. Conclusion Therapy options for treatment of infections caused by CRE were very limited until recent approval of new agents with activity against these isolates. Ceftazidime-avibactam demonstrated full in vitro activity against all carbapenemase-negative CRE carrying multiple resistance mechanisms. Disclosures Mariana Castanheira, PhD, 1928 Diagnostics (Research Grant or Support)A. Menarini Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite S.R.L. (Research Grant or Support)Allergan (Research Grant or Support)Allergan (Research Grant or Support)Amplyx Pharmaceuticals (Research Grant or Support)Cidara Therapeutics (Research Grant or Support)Cidara Therapeutics (Research Grant or Support)Cipla Ltd. (Research Grant or Support)Cipla Ltd. (Research Grant or Support)Fox Chase Chemical Diversity Center (Research Grant or Support)GlaxoSmithKline (Research Grant or Support)Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. (Research Grant or Support)Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. (Research Grant or Support)Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. (Research Grant or Support)Merck (Research Grant or Support)Merck (Research Grant or Support)Merck & Co, Inc. (Research Grant or Support)Merck & Co, Inc. (Research Grant or Support)Paratek Pharma, LLC (Research Grant or Support)Pfizer (Research Grant or Support)Qpex Biopharma (Research Grant or Support) Timothy B. Doyle, Allergan (Research Grant or Support)Allergan (Research Grant or Support)Cipla Ltd. (Research Grant or Support)Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. (Research Grant or Support)Pfizer (Research Grant or Support)Qpex Biopharma (Research Grant or Support) Cory Hubler, Allergan (Research Grant or Support) Rodrigo E. Mendes, PhD, A. Menarini Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite S.R.L. (Research Grant or Support)Allergan (Research Grant or Support)Allergan (Research Grant or Support)Basilea Pharmaceutica International, Ltd (Research Grant or Support)Cipla Ltd. (Research Grant or Support)Department of Health and Human Services (Research Grant or Support)GlaxoSmithKline (Research Grant or Support)Melinta Therapeutics, Inc. (Research Grant or Support)Merck (Research Grant or Support)Merck (Research Grant or Support)Pfizer (Research Grant or Support) Helio S. Sader, MD, PhD, A. Menarini Industrie Farmaceutiche Riunite S.R.L. (Research Grant or Support)Allergan (Research Grant or Support)Allergan (Research Grant or Support)Allergan (Research Grant or Support)Cipla Ltd. (Research Grant or Support)Cipla Ltd. (Research Grant or Support)Melinta (Research Grant or Support)Merck (Research Grant or Support)Merck (Research Grant or Support)Paratek Pharma, LLC (Research Grant or Support)Pfizer (Research Grant or Support)

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Multicenter Clinical and Molecular Epidemiological Analysis of Bacteremia Due to Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in the CRE Epicenter of the United States

Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy ◽

10.1128/aac.02349-16 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 61 (4) ◽

Cited By ~ 98

Author(s):

Michael J. Satlin ◽

Liang Chen ◽

Gopi Patel ◽

Angela Gomez-Simmonds ◽

Gregory Weston ◽

...

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Empirical Therapy ◽

Carbapenem Resistance ◽

The United States ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Rapid Diagnostics ◽

Multicenter Studies ◽

Content Type ◽

Medical Centers ◽

Carbapenem Resistant

ABSTRACT Although the New York/New Jersey (NY/NJ) area is an epicenter for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), there are few multicenter studies of CRE from this region. We characterized patients with CRE bacteremia in 2013 at eight NY/NJ medical centers and determined the prevalence of carbapenem resistance among Enterobacteriaceae bloodstream isolates and CRE resistance mechanisms, genetic backgrounds, capsular types (cps), and antimicrobial susceptibilities. Of 121 patients with CRE bacteremia, 50% had cancer or had undergone transplantation. The prevalences of carbapenem resistance among Klebsiella pneumoniae, Enterobacter spp., and Escherichia coli bacteremias were 9.7%, 2.2%, and 0.1%, respectively. Ninety percent of CRE were K. pneumoniae and 92% produced K. pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC-3, 48%; KPC-2, 44%). Two CRE produced NDM-1 and OXA-48 carbapenemases. Sequence type 258 (ST258) predominated among KPC-producing K. pneumoniae (KPC-Kp). The wzi154 allele, corresponding to cps-2, was present in 93% of KPC-3-Kp, whereas KPC-2-Kp had greater cps diversity. Ninety-nine percent of CRE were ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI)-susceptible, although 42% of KPC-3-Kp had an CAZ-AVI MIC of ≥4/4 μg/ml. There was a median of 47 h from bacteremia onset until active antimicrobial therapy, 38% of patients had septic shock, and 49% died within 30 days. KPC-3-Kp bacteremia (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.58; P = 0.045), cancer (aOR, 3.61, P = 0.01), and bacteremia onset in the intensive care unit (aOR, 3.79; P = 0.03) were independently associated with mortality. Active empirical therapy and combination therapy were not associated with survival. Despite a decade of experience with CRE, patients with CRE bacteremia have protracted delays in appropriate therapies and high mortality rates, highlighting the need for rapid diagnostics and evaluation of new therapeutics.

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Characterization of resistance mechanisms of Enterobacter cloacae Complex co-resistant to carbapenem and colistin

BMC Microbiology ◽

10.1186/s12866-021-02250-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Shixing Liu ◽

Renchi Fang ◽

Ying Zhang ◽

Lijiang Chen ◽

Na Huang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lipid A ◽

Efflux Pump ◽

Resistance Mechanism ◽

Carbapenem Resistance ◽

Enterobacter Cloacae ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Colistin Resistance ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Horizontal Spread

Abstract Background The emergence of carbapenem-resistant and colistin-resistant ECC pose a huge challenge to infection control. The purpose of this study was to clarify the mechanism of the carbapenems and colistin co-resistance in Enterobacter cloacae Complex (ECC) strains. Results This study showed that the mechanisms of carbapenem resistance in this study are: 1. Generating carbapenemase (7 of 19); 2. The production of AmpC or ESBLs combined with decreased expression of out membrane protein (12 of 19). hsp60 sequence analysis suggested 10 of 19 the strains belong to colistin hetero-resistant clusters and the mechanism of colistin resistance is increasing expression of acrA in the efflux pump AcrAB-TolC alone (18 of 19) or accompanied by a decrease of affinity between colistin and outer membrane caused by the modification of lipid A (14 of 19). Moreover, an ECC strain co-harboring plasmid-mediated mcr-4.3 and blaNDM-1 has been found. Conclusions This study suggested that there is no overlap between the resistance mechanism of co-resistant ECC strains to carbapenem and colistin. However, the emergence of strain co-harboring plasmid-mediated resistance genes indicated that ECC is a potential carrier for the horizontal spread of carbapenems and colistin resistance.

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Investigation of Carbapenemase Genes in Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacterales Isolates: First KPC Report From Dokuz Eylul University Hospital

Türk Mikrobiyoloji Cemiyeti Dergisi ◽

10.5222/tmcd.2021.94899 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Şeyda Şilan Okalin ◽

Ayşe Nur Sarı Kaygısız ◽

Mahmut Cem Ergon ◽

İbrahim Mehmet Ali Öktem

Keyword(s):

Treatment Options ◽

Carbapenem Resistance ◽

Tracheal Aspirate ◽

University Hospital ◽

Chain Reaction ◽

Specific Primers ◽

E Coli ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Carbapenemase Gene ◽

Polymerase Chain

Objective: In recent years, increasing carbapenem resistance of Enterobacterales bacteria limits treatment options, considerably. The main mechanism of this resistance is the production of carbapenemase enzymes. The aim of this study is to determine carbapenemase gene types in Enterobacterales isolates from our hospitalized patients and assess the clonal associations of the isolates with KPC gene. Method: A total of 48 clinical Enterobacterales isolates resistant to at least one carbapeneme and received between January 2019 and March 2019 were included in the study. Sample types were consisted of urine, blood, tracheal aspirate, wound and sputum. Of these isolates, three were Escherichia coli while 45 were Klebsiella pneumoniae. Types of carbapenemases were investigated by polymerase chain reaction, using specific primers for VIM, IMP, NDM, KPC and OXA-48 genes. PFGE was performed to determine the clonal associations between blaKPC positive K. pnemoniae isolates. Results: According to the results, blaOXA-48 (n=2) and blaKPC (n=1) were found to be present among E. coli isolates. Regarding 45 K. pneumoniae isolates; only blaOXA-48 and only blaNDM were present in 30 and two isolates, respectively. Seven K. pneumoniae isolates were found positive for both blaOXA-48 and blaNDM. Remaining K. pneumoniae isolates (n=6) harboured only blaKPC. None of the isolates were positive for blaIMP and blaVIM. PFGE analysis showed four isolates had the same pulsotype (A), while two had different pulsotypes (B-C). Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first report of KPC gene isolated in Dokuz Eylul University Hospital.

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Multi-institute analysis of carbapenem resistance reveals remarkable diversity, unexplained mechanisms, and limited clonal outbreaks

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences ◽

10.1073/pnas.1616248114 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 114 (5) ◽

pp. 1135-1140 ◽

Cited By ~ 76

Author(s):

Gustavo C. Cerqueira ◽

Ashlee M. Earl ◽

Christoph M. Ernst ◽

Yonatan H. Grad ◽

John P. Dekker ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Carbapenem Resistance ◽

Resistance Mechanisms ◽

Phylogeographic Structure ◽

Aggressive Approach ◽

Beta Lactamases ◽

Carbapenem Resistant ◽

Local Transmission ◽

California Hospital ◽

Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae ◽

The Continuum

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are among the most severe threats to the antibiotic era. Multiple different species can exhibit resistance due to many different mechanisms, and many different mobile elements are capable of transferring resistance between lineages. We prospectively sampled CRE from hospitalized patients from three Boston-area hospitals, together with a collection of CRE from a single California hospital, to define the frequency and characteristics of outbreaks and determine whether there is evidence for transfer of strains within and between hospitals and the frequency with which resistance is transferred between lineages or species. We found eight species exhibiting resistance, with the majority of our sample being the sequence type 258 (ST258) lineage ofKlebsiella pneumoniae. There was very little evidence of extensive hospital outbreaks, but a great deal of variation in resistance mechanisms and the genomic backgrounds carrying these mechanisms. Local transmission was evident in clear phylogeographic structure between the samples from the two coasts. The most common resistance mechanisms were KPC (K. pneumoniaecarbapenemases) beta-lactamases encoded byblaKPC2,blaKPC3, andblaKPC4, which were transferred between strains and species by seven distinct subgroups of the Tn4401element. We also found evidence for previously unrecognized resistance mechanisms that produced resistance when transformed into a susceptible genomic background. The extensive variation, together with evidence of transmission beyond limited clonal outbreaks, points to multiple unsampled transmission chains throughout the continuum of care, including asymptomatic carriage and transmission of CRE. This finding suggests that to control this threat, we need an aggressive approach to surveillance and isolation.

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