Abstract

GUERRERO, Elba; TAKIFF, Howard; CARABALLO, Lizeth  and  QUERALES, Luis. Comprehensive overview of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in Venezuela: microbiologic, epidemiologic, and molecular features. Invest. clín [online]. 2026, vol.67, n.2, pp.300-318.  Epub June 08, 2026. ISSN 2477-9393.  https://doi.org/10.54817/ic.v67n2a11.

Infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, which are considered last-line antibiotics, represent a growing threat to public health. The primary resistance mechanism is carbapenemase production, and characterizing these enzymes is essential for guiding therapeutic decisions. Likewise, molecular epidemiology provides critical information for monitoring and controlling these microorganisms. In this context, we reviewed reports of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in Venezuela, synthesizing available data on bacterial species, antibiotic susceptibility, resistance-conferring enzymes, associated mobile genetic elements, molecular typing, and epidemiological trends. Analysis of these studies revealed that KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae has been the most frequently reported carbapenemase-producing enterobacterium, although NDM (New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase) is on the rise, consistent with the situation in the rest of Latin America. Overall, we identified a knowledge gap, especially in the molecular characterization of carbapenem-resistant isolates, that requires systematic studies to better understand the dynamics and impact of these pathogenic agents in Venezuela.

Keywords : Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae; Venezuela; Klebsiella pneumoniae; KPC.

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