Durante las últimas décadas, el mundo se ha expuesto a una serie de amenazas por brotes virales emergentes de diferente índole, los cuales, sólo al estudiarlos en detalle, surge la posibilidad de comprender su verdadero impacto, no sólo de forma inmediata, si no también, a largo plazo. Recientemente, el 12 de diciembre de 2019, la Comisión Municipal de Salud de Wuhan, en la República Popular de China, hizo público un reporte de 27 casos humanos quienes cursaron con una neumonía viral, de los cuales 7 pacientes se encontraban en condiciones críticas, la cual tenía como etiología un nuevo patógeno humano con alta capacidad zoonótica, conocido provisionalmente como Coronavirus novel 2019 (2019-nCoV), y unas semanas después como Enfermedad por Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) causada por el virus SARS-CoV-2.
Improper use of antimicrobials has resulted in the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), including multi-drug resistance (MDR) among bacteria. Recently, a sudden increase in Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) has been observed. This presents a substantial challenge in the treatment of CRE-infected individuals. Bacterial plasmids include the genes for carbapenem resistance, which can also spread to other bacteria to make them resistant. The incidence of CRE is rising significantly despite the efforts of health authorities, clinicians, and scientists. Many genotypic and phenotypic techniques are available to identify CRE. However, effective identification requires the integration of two or more methods. Whole genome sequencing (WGS), an advanced molecular approach, helps identify new strains of CRE and screening of the patient population; however, WGS is challenging to apply in clinical settings due to the complexity and high expense involved with this technique. The current review highlights the molecular mechanism of development of Carbapenem resistance, the epidemiology of CRE infections, spread of CRE, treatment options, and the phenotypic/genotypic characterisation of CRE. The potential of microorganisms to acquire resistance against Carbapenems remains high, which can lead to even more susceptible drugs such as colistin and polymyxins. Hence, the current study recommends running the antibiotic stewardship programs at an institutional level to control the use of antibiotics and to reduce the spread of CRE worldwide.
5 January 2021 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology
Monkeypox virus has remained the most virulent poxvirus since the elimination of smallpox approximately 41 years ago, with distribution mostly in Central and West Africa. Monkeypox (Mpox) in humans is a zoonotically transferred disease that results in a smallpox-like disease. It was first diagnosed in 1970 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and the disease has spread over West and Central Africa. The purpose of this review was to give an up-to-date, thorough, and timely overview on the genomic diversity and evolution of a re-emerging infectious disease. The genetic profile of Mpox may also be helpful in targeting new therapeutic options based on genes, mutations, and phylogeny. Mpox has become a major threat to global health security, necessitating a quick response by virologists, veterinarians, public health professionals, doctors, and researchers to create high-efficiency diagnostic tests, vaccinations, antivirals, and other infection control techniques. The emergence of epidemics outside of Africa emphasizes the disease’s global significance. Increased monitoring and identification of Mpox cases are critical tools for obtaining a better knowledge of the ever-changing epidemiology of this disease.
1 September 2020 in Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease