Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Infections in Children: An Italian Retrospective Multicenter Study is an article about a health problem of major concern promoted by SITIP - the Italian Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases. It was published last August on the Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.

SUMMARY:

Carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are an emerging problem in Europe. Carbapenem-resistance can be acquired by different mechanisms: reduced membrane permeability by porin loss associated with production of an extended spectrum beta-lactamase or of AmpC-type betalactamase and production of carbapenemases, enzymes capable of hydrolysing carbapenems. The aim of this study, promoted by the Italian Society for Pediatric Infectious Diseases (SITIP), was to analyse risk factors, clinical features, therapeutic options and outcomes of CRE infection in neonates and children in Italy.
The authours  performed a retrospective, multicenter, observational study of children with confirmed CRE infection or colonization admitted between 1st January 2011 and 1st March 2014 to 7 Italian pediatric centers. Sixty-nine patients presenting 74 CRE infections and/or colonization were included. The most frequently isolated strain was Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-producing K. pneumoniae. The study confirms that CRE infections affect mostly children with oncologic diseases and immunosuppression. Controlled studies in large cohorts are needed to evaluate the best therapeutic options and to assess further risk factors influencing outcomes and the survival of pediatric patients with infections caused by CRE.

AUTHORS: Montagnani C, Prato M, Scolfaro C, Colombo S, Esposito S, Tagliabue C, Lo Vecchio A, Bruzzese E, Loy A, Cursi L, Vuerich M, de Martino M, Galli L; Italian Society of Pediatric Infectious Diseases.

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