Colonization and Acquisition of Carbapenem-Resistant and Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales Among Hospitalized Adult Patients in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Key Points

• This research aims to assess the colonization and acquisition rates of carbapenem-resistant and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales among hospitalized adults.
• Patients were screened for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales at admission and during follow-up.
• Follow-up assessments determined the persistence rates of these bacteria in high-risk patients.
• Emphasis was placed on enhancing infection prevention protocols based on findings.
• At admission, 53.0% of patients were colonized with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales.
• During follow-up, detection rates were 74.1% for carbapenem-resistant and 48.1% for carbapenemase-producing strains.
• Findings indicate a substantial burden of CRE and CP-CRE colonization with a high persistence rate.