Evaluation of Bloodstream Infections Associated with Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in Paediatric and Adult Patients

The majority of infections that affect the bloodstream are caused by bacteria, though infections caused by viruses and fungi can also occur. Common sites of infection include the skin, intestines, urinary tract, and lungs. When viable, reproducing bacteria are detected in the blood, the condition is known as bacteremia. This type of illness impacts the bloodstream. Bacteremia is classified into two types: primary and secondary. In primary bacteremia, bacteria are introduced directly into the bloodstream, which can occur, for example, through drug injection. The methods available in the past were laborious and often ineffective, even if the patient had taken antibiotics. Infections acquired in the community or through medical treatment are typically caused by gram-negative bacteria belonging to the Enterobacteriaceae family. Severe or high-risk bacterial infections are often treated with carbapenems, a class of beta-lactam antibiotics known for their effectiveness. This class of antibiotics is typically reserved for bacterial infections that are multidrug-resistant or suspected to be so. In some cases, bacteria produce carbapenemases—enzymes that degrade the β-lactam ring of carbapenem antibiotics. Since the genes for carbapenemases are carried by easily transferable mobile genetic elements (such as plasmids or transposons), the rapid global spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is largely attributed to the presence of these enzyme-producing bacteria. The present study aims to determine the most prevalent blood-borne infections across 100 patients of various age groups, along with evaluating carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.