Emergence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in France, 2004 to 2011

Emergence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) is currently a major public health concern worldwide. This study showed that 53 episodes of CPE infection or colonisation have been notified by French healthcare facilities since 2004. A sharp increase in the number of notifications was observed in the last three years. Oxacillinase (OXA)-48 and Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC) beta-lactamases were the most frequent enzymes reported in these episodes. The index cases in most episodes were patients with a history of hospitalisation abroad within the previous year. Around a third of the episodes (n=18) led to secondary transmission in hospitals but most of them were controlled due to reinforced measures. Reinforcement of screening and control measures at national level when there is cross-border transfer of patients, along with overall reinforcement of infection control and antimicrobial stewardship worldwide, is urgently needed to contain the spread of CPE.