https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/all-news
ECDC warns of rise in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales infections
News brief
16 minutes ago.
Chris Dall, MA
Topics
Antimicrobial Stewardship
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued a warning today about a rising incidence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections, saying the risk of further spread is high.
In a rapid risk assessment, the ECDC said the epidemiologic situation has been deteriorating since 2019. Signs of deterioration include an increase in the incidence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections in 23 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) nations due to the continued transmission of high-risk lineages of carbapenem-resistant K pneumoniae in hospitals. The agency also notes that a hypervirulent strain of K pneumoniae—sequence type (ST)23—has become resistant to carbapenems.
In addition, the ECDC said carbapenemase genes have been identified in high-risk lineages of Escherichia coli that pose a risk for spread in the community, as well as in newly emerging Enterobacterales species.
High risk of death
CRE infections are resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics, leaving clinicians with few effective treatment options. As a result, CRE bloodstream infections are associated with a high level of attributable mortality.
"These findings indicate a high probability of further spread of CRE in the EU/EEA, both in hospital settings and in community, a worrying trend since CRE infections are linked to high mortality," ECDC Chief Scientist Piotr Kramarz said in an ECDC press release. "Immediate action is essential to control this problem and protect patients from infections that are becoming increasingly difficult to treat."
The ECDC is urging EU/EEA countries to implement enhanced infection prevention and control efforts in hospitals to interrupt transmission of carbapenem-resistant K pneumoniae and other CRE, develop a CRE management plan, strengthen national coordination of control measures between hospitals and regions, bolster genomic surveillance, and apply antimicrobial stewardship to preserve the effectiveness of carbapenems.
"ECDC calls on all EU/EEA countries and hospitals to intensify their efforts to address this deteriorating epidemiological situation, mitigate the high risk of further CRE spread and, ultimately, protect patients and communities," the agency said.
TB cases linked to high schools in Michigan, California
News brief
Today at 3:27 p.m.
Stephanie Soucheray, MA
Topics
Tuberculosis
Health officials in Michigan's Kalamazoo County are investigating an active tuberculosis (TB) case in a local high school student, and San Diego officials are warning of possible TB exposure at a high school last year, according to a press release published late last week.
Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department (HCS) said it notified
Kalamazoo Public Schools of the case and that the patient is isolated from others and currently undergoing treatment.
Testing of case contacts will take place this week at the school.
Although tuberculosis can be a serious disease, it is a treatable infection.
"Although tuberculosis can be a serious disease, it is a treatable infection. We are working closely with Kalamazoo Public Schools to ensure the safety and health of all staff and students," said William Nettleton, MD, medical director of Kalamazoo County HCS.
San Diego exposure in high school
Also late last week, San Diego health officials warned of possible tuberculosis exposure at a high school during the 2023-2024 academic year. Officials are notifying students, employees, and contractors potentially exposed to tuberculosis at Palomar High School from February 24 to June 5, 2024.
In 2023, 243 people were reported with active TB disease in San Diego County, the highest level in 5 years, according to a news report. Active infections had been steadily declining since 2000 but increased starting in 2020, health officials said.
An estimated 175,000 people in San Diego County have latent TB infections, of which 5% to 10% may become active in their lifetimes.
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, reports first CWD cases
News brief
Today at 12:34 p.m.
Mary Van Beusekom, MS
Topics
Chronic Wasting Disease
Two male deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, the county's first detections of the fatal neurologic disease, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced late last week.
Luzerne County is located in the northeastern part of the state, 40 miles from the closest CWD identification in a wild deer.
One of the two adult bucks was harvested by a hunter, and the other was identified on a deer-breeding farm on December 16. The farm is under quarantine for 5 years, which requires testing of deer who die on the farm and prohibits movement of deer to or from the farm, the commission said. The detections will lead to disease-management-area changes in the spring.
Spreads through direct contact, environment
CWD, which affects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose, is caused by infectious misfolded proteins called prions. The disease spreads among cervids through direct contact and environmental contamination.
No CWD infections have been reported in people, but the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends against the consumption of infected animals.
ALL BRIEFS
ECDC warns of rise in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales infections
News brief
16 minutes ago.
Chris Dall, MA
Topics
Antimicrobial Stewardship
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) issued a warning today about a rising incidence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections, saying the risk of further spread is high.
In a rapid risk assessment, the ECDC said the epidemiologic situation has been deteriorating since 2019. Signs of deterioration include an increase in the incidence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae bloodstream infections in 23 European Union/European Economic Area (EU/EEA) nations due to the continued transmission of high-risk lineages of carbapenem-resistant K pneumoniae in hospitals. The agency also notes that a hypervirulent strain of K pneumoniae—sequence type (ST)23—has become resistant to carbapenems.
In addition, the ECDC said carbapenemase genes have been identified in high-risk lineages of Escherichia coli that pose a risk for spread in the community, as well as in newly emerging Enterobacterales species.
High risk of death
CRE infections are resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics, leaving clinicians with few effective treatment options. As a result, CRE bloodstream infections are associated with a high level of attributable mortality.
"These findings indicate a high probability of further spread of CRE in the EU/EEA, both in hospital settings and in community, a worrying trend since CRE infections are linked to high mortality," ECDC Chief Scientist Piotr Kramarz said in an ECDC press release. "Immediate action is essential to control this problem and protect patients from infections that are becoming increasingly difficult to treat."
The ECDC is urging EU/EEA countries to implement enhanced infection prevention and control efforts in hospitals to interrupt transmission of carbapenem-resistant K pneumoniae and other CRE, develop a CRE management plan, strengthen national coordination of control measures between hospitals and regions, bolster genomic surveillance, and apply antimicrobial stewardship to preserve the effectiveness of carbapenems.
"ECDC calls on all EU/EEA countries and hospitals to intensify their efforts to address this deteriorating epidemiological situation, mitigate the high risk of further CRE spread and, ultimately, protect patients and communities," the agency said.
TB cases linked to high schools in Michigan, California
News brief
Today at 3:27 p.m.
Stephanie Soucheray, MA
Topics
Tuberculosis
Health officials in Michigan's Kalamazoo County are investigating an active tuberculosis (TB) case in a local high school student, and San Diego officials are warning of possible TB exposure at a high school last year, according to a press release published late last week.
Kalamazoo County Health & Community Services Department (HCS) said it notified
Kalamazoo Public Schools of the case and that the patient is isolated from others and currently undergoing treatment.
Testing of case contacts will take place this week at the school.
Although tuberculosis can be a serious disease, it is a treatable infection.
"Although tuberculosis can be a serious disease, it is a treatable infection. We are working closely with Kalamazoo Public Schools to ensure the safety and health of all staff and students," said William Nettleton, MD, medical director of Kalamazoo County HCS.
San Diego exposure in high school
Also late last week, San Diego health officials warned of possible tuberculosis exposure at a high school during the 2023-2024 academic year. Officials are notifying students, employees, and contractors potentially exposed to tuberculosis at Palomar High School from February 24 to June 5, 2024.
In 2023, 243 people were reported with active TB disease in San Diego County, the highest level in 5 years, according to a news report. Active infections had been steadily declining since 2000 but increased starting in 2020, health officials said.
An estimated 175,000 people in San Diego County have latent TB infections, of which 5% to 10% may become active in their lifetimes.
Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, reports first CWD cases
News brief
Today at 12:34 p.m.
Mary Van Beusekom, MS
Topics
Chronic Wasting Disease
Two male deer have tested positive for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, the county's first detections of the fatal neurologic disease, the Pennsylvania Game Commission announced late last week.
Luzerne County is located in the northeastern part of the state, 40 miles from the closest CWD identification in a wild deer.
One of the two adult bucks was harvested by a hunter, and the other was identified on a deer-breeding farm on December 16. The farm is under quarantine for 5 years, which requires testing of deer who die on the farm and prohibits movement of deer to or from the farm, the commission said. The detections will lead to disease-management-area changes in the spring.
Spreads through direct contact, environment
CWD, which affects cervids such as deer, elk, and moose, is caused by infectious misfolded proteins called prions. The disease spreads among cervids through direct contact and environmental contamination.
No CWD infections have been reported in people, but the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends against the consumption of infected animals.
ALL BRIEFS