KPC Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase, also known as superbug, is a type of bacteria, resistant to most antibiotic remedies, which when it enters the body is capable of producing serious infections, such as pneumonia or meningitis, for example.
The infection by Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase happens in a hospital environment, being more frequent in children, the elderly or people with weakened immune systems and who stay in the hospital for a long time, take injections directly into the vein for a long time, are connected to breathing apparatus or do many antibiotic treatments, for example.
Infection by the KPC bacteria is curable, however, it can be difficult to achieve as there are few antibiotics capable of destroying this microorganism. Thus, due to its multi-resistance, it is important that preventive measures are adopted in the hospital and that need to be adopted by both health professionals and hospital visitors.
Treatment for KPC bacteria
Treatment for the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase is usually done in the hospital with the injection of antibiotic drugs, such as Polymyxin B or Tigecycline, directly into the vein. However, because this type of bacteria is resistant to most antibiotics, it is possible that the doctor will change the medicine after doing some blood tests that help to identify the correct type of antibiotic, or a combination of them. Some cases can be treated with a combination of more than 10 different antibiotics, for 10 to 14 days.
In addition, during hospitalization, the patient must stay in an isolated room to avoid contagion from other patients or family members, for example. To touch the infected person, appropriate clothing, mask and gloves should be worn. The most fragile people, such as the elderly and children, sometimes cannot receive visitors.
See: 5 Steps to protect yourself from KPC Superbacteria.
Symptoms of KPC infection
Symptoms of the KPC Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase bacteria can include:
- Fever above 39ºC, Increased heart rate; Difficulty breathing; Pneumonia; Urinary tract infection, especially during pregnancy.
Other symptoms, such as low blood pressure, generalized swelling and failure of some organs, are also common in patients with severe infection by the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase bacteria or when treatment is not done properly.
The diagnosis of KPC infection can be done through an exam called an antibiogram, which identifies the bacterium indicating the drugs that can fight this bacterium.
How the transmission happens
The transmission of the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase bacteria can be done through direct contact with saliva and other secretions from the infected patient or through the sharing of contaminated objects. This bacteria has already been found in bus terminals and public restrooms, and since it can easily spread through contact with the skin or through the air, anyone can be contaminated.
Thus, to prevent the transmission of the bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase it is recommending:
- Wash hands before and after contact with patients in the hospital; Wear gloves and protective mask to contact the patient; Do not share objects with the infected patient.
In addition, it is important that health professionals are trained in the appearance of multi-resistant bacteria in the hospital environment, and it is important that the practice of hand hygiene and surface cleaning and disinfection is respected by these professionals.
Hygiene measures like washing your hands before and after going to the bathroom, whenever you cook or eat and whenever you come home from work can help prevent contamination with this and other potentially fatal bacteria. The use of gel alcohol also helps to keep your hands clean, but only if they are not apparently dirty.
It is believed that the increase in cases of infection by the superbug occurs due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, which cause these microorganisms to develop resistance to existing drugs. Thus, to avoid a global epidemic, antibiotics should be taken only when indicated by the doctor, for the time determined by him and continue taking the medicine even if the symptoms of the disease are decreasing before the expected date. Learn how to prevent nosocomial infections.
