Carbapenemase-producing organisms surveillance

Carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO) represent one of the greatest challenges to global health due to the rapid spread of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms ^[1]. The increasing prevalence of CPO is particularly concerning given the rapid spread of mobile genetic elements containing carbapenemase genes, the limited treatment options for infections caused by these organisms, and the high mortality rates associated with CPO infections ^[1]. CPO disseminate between patients with greater ease than non-CP-carbapenem-resistant organisms and warrant more intensive infection control measures than would be employed in the absence of carbapenemase production ^[1]. Understanding if an organism is carbapenemase producing and, if so, the class of carbapenemase(s) produced has treatment implications, as some agents preferentially have activity against specific carbapenemases ^[1].