Apostolos Voulgaridis

Dr. Apostolos Voulgaridis


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 October 2025 in Antibiotics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MARIA CHATZIDIMITRIOUMARIA CHATZIDIMITRIOU
MARIA CHATZIDIMITRIOU
AVApostolos Voulgaridis
Apostolos Voulgaridis
Pandora TsolakidouPandora Tsolakidou
Pandora Tsolakidou
FCFani Chatzopoulou
Fani Chatzopoulou
ICIoannis Chonianakis
Ioannis Chonianakis
Timoleon-Achilleas VyzantiadisTimoleon-Achilleas Vyzantiadis
Timoleon-Achilleas Vyzantiadis
Background/Objectives: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) threatens Intensive Care Units (ICU), particularly in settings where serine (KPC) and metallo-β-lactamases (NDM) co-circulate. The aim of this study was to assess CRKP susceptibility especially to novel β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations, characterize the genetic determinants of resistance, and contribute to the understanding of local epidemiology in the ICU of our hospital. Methods: We studied 32 non-duplicate CRKP isolates (30 ICU, 2 wards) collected at Hippokration General Hospital, Thessaloniki (May–Oct 2023). Bacterial identification and Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) were performed by VITEK-2; Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for ceftazidime/avibactam (CAZ/AVI), meropenem/vaborbactam (MER/VAB), and imipenem/relebactam (IMI/REL) were determined by E-tests. Colistin MICs were performed by broth microdilution. Carbapenemases were screened phenotypically and by immunochromatography and confirmed by multiplex PCR. One bronchial isolate co-harboring blaNDM and blaKPC genes underwent WGS. Results: All isolates were carbapenem-resistant and showed extensive resistance to β-lactams and fluoroquinolones. By PCR, 8/32 (25%) carried blaKPC alone, 8/32 (25.0%) blaNDM alone, and 16/32 (50%) co-harbored blaKPC and blaNDM. KPC-only isolates were generally susceptible in vitro to CAZ/AVI, MER/VAB, and IMI/REL, whereas dual KPC-NDM producers were resistant to all three combinations. Tigecycline showed the highest retained activity; colistin remained active in a minority. WGS of one ST512 (CG258) isolate revealed co-harboring blaNDM-1 and blaKPC-3 with additional resistance determinants and plasmid replicons, consistent with high-risk spread. Conclusions: Half of CRKP isolates in this ICU-predominant series co-produced KPC and NDM, severely limiting β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor options. These data support routine screening for carbapenemases, strict infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and access to agents active against MBLs.