Infections by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in SCT recipients: a nationwide retrospective survey from Italy

Bone Marrow Transplant. 2015 Feb;50(2):282-8. doi: 10.1038/bmt.2014.231. Epub 2014 Oct 13.

Abstract

Infections by carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKp) represent a challenging problem after SCT. A retrospective survey (January 2010 to July 2013) involving 52 Italian centers was performed to assess the epidemiology and the prognostic factors of CRKp infections in auto- and allo-SCT. Cases of CRKp infection were reported in 53.4% of centers. CRKp infections were documented in 25 auto-SCTs and 87 allo-SCTs, with an incidence of 0.4% (from 0.1% in 2010 to 0.7% in 2013) and 2% (from 0.4% in 2010 to 2.9% in 2013), respectively. A CRKp colonization documented before or after transplant was followed by an infection in 25.8% of auto-SCT and 39.2% of allo-SCT patients. The infection-related mortality rates were 16% and 64.4%, respectively. A pre-transplant CRKp infection (hazard ratio (HR) 0.33, 95% confidence intervals (CIs) 0.15-0.74; P=0.007) and a not CRKp-targeted first-line treatment (HR 2.67, 95% CI 1.43-4.99; P=0.002) were independent factors associated with an increased mortality in allo-SCT patients who developed a CRKp infection. Our study shows challenging findings of CRKp infections in SCT patients in Italy particularly after allo-SCT. The detection of carriers and the definition of early therapeutic strategies represent critical aspects of the management of CRKp infections after SCT.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Allografts
  • Autografts
  • Carbapenems*
  • Drug Resistance, Bacterial*
  • Female
  • Hematologic Diseases / mortality
  • Hematologic Diseases / therapy
  • Humans
  • Italy
  • Klebsiella Infections / etiology
  • Klebsiella Infections / mortality*
  • Klebsiella Infections / prevention & control
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Stem Cell Transplantation*

Substances

  • Carbapenems