The researchers conducted a study focused on a fatal outbreak of pneumonia in China in February 2016. Five patients underwent surgery and later developed severe pneumonia in the intensive care unit. They all died of septicaemia and multiple organ failure. The cause was a carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae strain that was hypervirulent and belonged to the ST11 type of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae.
Here are eight things to know about the newly discovered superbug:
1. ST11 K. pneumoniae strains that become resistant to the carbapenem antibiotics further evolve into ST11 CR-HvKP through acquisition of the hypervirulence plasmids.
2. The ST11 CR-HvKP strains infect the lungs and cause pneumonia, and also invade the bloodstream and other internal organs.
3. Due to its hypervirulence and phenotypic resistance to commonly used antibiotics, ST11 CR-HvKP may cause untreatable and fatal infections.
4. ST11 CR-HvKP strains’ mucoid outer layer allows them to stick to materials, including medical devices and tubing.
5. While the transmission route is not yet clear, researchers believe medical equipment such as ventilators and catheters may be transmitting the strains.
6. Human-to-human transmission may also be possible.
7. Clinicians can use the Polymerase chain reaction method to detect the ST11 CR-HvKP strains
8. Colistin, the last resort drug for carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae infections, alone or in combination with other drugs was not very effective in treating infections caused by ST11 CR-HvKP.
The researchers published their findings in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
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