Multicenter study on the prevalence of colonization due to carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales strains before and during the first year of COVID-19, Italy 2018–2020

Abstract

The prevalence of CRE in Italy highly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly in the Southern hospital centers. KPC-producing <i>K. pneumoniae</i> was the most frequent colonizing CRE species reported. The results of our study confirmed the crucial value of active surveillance as well as the importance of multicenter studies representing diverse geographical areas even in endemic countries. Differences in CRE colonization prevalence among centers suggest the need for diversified and center-specific interventions as well as for strengthening efforts in infection prevention and control practices and policies.