1. Extensively Drug-Resistant Carbapenemase-Producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Medical Tourism from the United States to Mexico, 2018-2019.
- Author
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Kracalik, Ian, Ham, D. Cal, McAllister, Gillian, Smith, Amanda R., Vowles, Maureen, Kauber, Kelly, Zambrano, Melba, Rodriguez, Gretchen, Garner, Kelley, Chorbi, Kaitlyn, Cassidy, P. Maureen, McBee, Shannon, Stoney, Rhett J., Moser, Kathleen, Villarino, Margarita E., Zazueta, Oscar E., Bhatnagar, Amelia, Sula, Erisa, Stanton, Richard A., and Brown, Allison C.
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MEDICAL tourism , *PSEUDOMONAS aeruginosa , *CARBAPENEM-resistant bacteria , *NUCLEOTIDE sequencing , *BARIATRIC surgery - Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) producing the Verona integron‒encoded metallo-β-lactamase (VIM) are highly antimicrobial drug-resistant pathogens that are uncommon in the United States. We investigated the source of VIM-CRPA among US medical tourists who underwent bariatric surgery in Tijuana, Mexico. Cases were defined as isolation of VIM-CRPA or CRPA from a patient who had an elective invasive medical procedure in Mexico during January 2018‒December 2019 and within 45 days before specimen collection. Whole-genome sequencing of isolates was performed. Thirty-eight case-patients were identified in 18 states; 31 were operated on by surgeon 1, most frequently at facility A (27/31 patients). Whole-genome sequencing identified isolates linked to surgeon 1 were closely related and distinct from isolates linked to other surgeons in Tijuana. Facility A closed in March 2019. US patients and providers should acknowledge the risk for colonization or infection after medical tourism with highly drug-resistant pathogens uncommon in the United States. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2022
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