VIM Klebsiella virulence potentials
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Comparison of the virulence potentials of VIM carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from COCH with similar clonalities.
IRAS ID
225591
Contact name
ILDIKO KUSTOS
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Countess of Chester Hospitla NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Increasing antibiotic resistance is a recognised threat to public health that is emphasised internationally. \n\nWorldwide spreading of multiresistant microorganisms represents therapeutic challenge for clinicians because of limited treatment options, potentially severe side effects or significant financial implications. \n\nOne of the most difficult-to-treat infections is associated with carbapenem resistance as these are usually our last resort antibiotics. These infections are associated with worse outcomes, longer hospital stay, higher mortality rates and greater healthcare expenditure.\n\nNumber of the carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) isolates has significantly increased in the UK since 2008 and the North West region of UK has been particularly affected.\n\nIn the Chester region most CRE isolates have been identified as VIM Klebsiella pneumoniae.\n\nVIM producing Klebsiella had been detected in our region first in 2009. According to our current clinical experience the locally isolated VIM Klebsiella strains are not associated with high mortality and patients rarely require appropriate antibiotic cover, even if this multiresistant organism is isolated from a clinical sample.\n\nWhether an infection develops is influenced by bacterial, host and environmental factors.\n\nAim of our study is to analyse the virulence factor production of our local VIM Klebsiella strain collection (VIM Klebsiella strains identified in COCH laboratory after 2011) to understand better their pathogenic potential. According to our hypothesis these strains have decreased pathogenic ability compared to other Klebsiella strains. We would like to prove this by laboratory detection and statistical analysis of virulence factor production. \nWe would also like to determine if the VIM Klebsiella strains isolated from high risk patient groups (immunosuppression, diabetes, elderly age) is different from other patients’ isolates. \n\nResults of these investigations will have direct impact on patient management and treatment of these multiresistant infections. We plan to review our local antibiotic formulary based on the results of this study.\n
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/SW/0150
Date of REC Opinion
15 Aug 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion