Were all carbapenemases created equal? Treatment of NDM-producing extensively drug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Purpose: There is currently a paucity of published literature focused on the treatment of infections caused by NDM-producing organisms.

Methods: We describe a case of a bacteraemia caused by an extensively drug-resistant (XDR) New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)-producing Serratia marcescens and review the treatment options for XDR NDM-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Results: Infections caused by New Delhi beta-lactamase (NDM)-producing Enterobacteriaceae are becoming increasingly prevalent worldwide. The presence of the enzyme results in multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant phenotypes which often pose a treatment challenge. Despite this challenge, case reports and series have demonstrated good clinical outcomes with numerous treatment options in comparison to infections due to KPC-producing Enterobacteriaceae.

Conclusions: Further good-quality research focused on the treatment of NDM-producing Enterobacteriaceae is warranted.

Keywords: Carbapenemase; Enterobacteriaceae; Extensively drug resistant; New Delhi beta-lactamase (NDM); Treatment.