Genomic study reveals spread of drug-resistant bacteria in Cyprus hospitals

A major European genomic study published in Lancet Microbe, supported by an ECDC technical report, has identified the spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in hospitals across Europe, including Cyprus. The research, which utilized 2019 data from over 300 hospitals in 36 countries, highlights the growing threat of antibiotic resistance. Specifically in Cyprus, the study analyzed Klebsiella pneumoniae, a bacterium associated with hospital-acquired infections. Out of 60 invasive strains recorded in 2019, eight exhibited carbapenem resistance, amounting to a 13.3% resistance rate. Carbapenems are considered a last-resort treatment for severe infections; thus, resistance significantly limits therapeutic options. The report indicates that these resistant strains are no longer isolated cases but are actively spreading within the hospital environment. The study's completion was delayed significantly due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the complexity of genomic analysis.