biostudies-literatureUnknown49Pillonetto M<h4>Background</h4>The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria represents a public health threat, with carbapenem resistance exacerbating this challenge. This study investigates carbapenemase-producing bacteria (CPB) across the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region.<h4>Methods</h4>A retrospective observational study was conducted across 12 LAC countries from 2015 to 2020. A total of 58,909 isolates were analyzed utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect key carbapenemases in Enterobacterales, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, and <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> complex (ABC).<h4>Findings</h4>47,804/58,909 (81.14%) carbapenemases were identified, with Brazil accounting for 73% of these. The majority were reported in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales-CRE (65.33%; 31,230/47,804), followed by carbapenem-resistant ABC-CRAB (22.05%; 10,542/47,804), and carbapenem-resistant <i>P. aeruginosa</i>-CRPA (6050/47,804; 12.66%). Among CRE, <i>bla</i> _KPC was the most detected gene (78.67%; 24,569/31,230), with <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> being the most commonly associated species (75.9%). A relevant upward trend in <i>bla</i> _NDM was observed. CRPA exhibited diverse profiles, with <i>bla</i> _VIM (47.64%) being the most common. In CRAB, <i>bla</i> _OXA-23 was found in 88.80% (9361/10,542) of isolates. Carbapenemase co-production was detected in 2.60% (1190/47,804) of isolates, with CRPA <i>bla</i> _IMP + <i>bla</i> _VIM being the most frequent.<h4>Interpretation</h4>This study highlights a high prevalence of CPB in LAC, with a stable trend in <i>bla</i> _KPC but a rising trend in <i>bla</i> _NDM. These findings underscore the urgent need for strengthened surveillance and public health interventions to combat carbapenemase-mediated resistance in the region.<h4>Funding</h4>None.Lancet regional health. Americas101185https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12281157biostudies-literatureCarbapenemases producing gram-negative bacteria surveillance in Latin America and the caribbean: a retrospective observational study from 2015 to 2020.PMC12281157Daniela Testoni CNHelen CPardo PRMariel BVanessa Marcano PKAndres HAparecida GGRonnie GCarolina DBaltodano HPDiana FLElizondo ATKulek DNOSilvia Scavacini MAGalas MKarla RMariana LJulia Mazariegos HCRonaldo de JDianelys QT RTFCarlos HJLeticia CVictoria OMMiorando RTeresa IMCARBA-LAC GroupPillonetto MPamela AIsaura Ugarte NCSati HSatan SCWink PLThomas GRElizabeth TKiffer CRVSaavedra Rojas SYMelano RGCarolina Sandoval LLMiguel GLuna BMAbreu ALMaria Avila AJD'Alincourt Carvalho Assef APSofia BJimenez-Pearson MAMelgarejo Touchet NLPeral RTfalseCarbapenemases producing gram-negative bacteria surveillance in Latin America and the caribbean: a retrospective observational study from 2015 to 2020.<h4>Background</h4>The rise of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria represents a public health threat, with carbapenem resistance exacerbating this challenge. This study investigates carbapenemase-producing bacteria (CPB) across the Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) region.<h4>Methods</h4>A retrospective observational study was conducted across 12 LAC countries from 2015 to 2020. A total of 58,909 isolates were analyzed utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect key carbapenemases in Enterobacterales, <i>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</i>, and <i>Acinetobacter baumannii</i> complex (ABC).<h4>Findings</h4>47,804/58,909 (81.14%) carbapenemases were identified, with Brazil accounting for 73% of these. The majority were reported in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales-CRE (65.33%; 31,230/47,804), followed by carbapenem-resistant ABC-CRAB (22.05%; 10,542/47,804), and carbapenem-resistant <i>P. aeruginosa</i>-CRPA (6050/47,804; 12.66%). Among CRE, <i>bla</i> _KPC was the most detected gene (78.67%; 24,569/31,230), with <i>Klebsiella pneumoniae</i> being the most commonly associated species (75.9%). A relevant upward trend in <i>bla</i> _NDM was observed. CRPA exhibited diverse profiles, with <i>bla</i> _VIM (47.64%) being the most common. In CRAB, <i>bla</i> _OXA-23 was found in 88.80% (9361/10,542) of isolates. Carbapenemase co-production was detected in 2.60% (1190/47,804) of isolates, with CRPA <i>bla</i> _IMP + <i>bla</i> _VIM being the most frequent.<h4>Interpretation</h4>This study highlights a high prevalence of CPB in LAC, with a stable trend in <i>bla</i> _KPC but a rising trend in <i>bla</i> _NDM. These findings underscore the urgent need for strengthened surveillance and public health interventions to combat carbapenemase-mediated resistance in the region.<h4>Funding</h4>None.2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Sep2026-03-18T14:13:15.641Z2025-08-27T03:07:01.226ZS-EPMC122811574069752910.1016/j.lana.2025.101185