Search

Although children and young adults are reportedly at lower risk for severe disease and death from infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), than are persons in other age groups (1), younger persons can experience infection and subsequently transmit infection to those at higher risk for severe illness (2-4). Although at lower risk for severe disease, some young adults experience serious illness, and asymptomatic or mild cases can result in sequelae such as myocardial inflammation (5). In the United States, approximately 45% of persons aged 18-22 years were enrolled in colleges and universities in 2019 (6). As these institutions reopen, opportunities for infection increase; therefore, mitigation efforts and monitoring reports of COVID-19 cases among young adults are important. During August 2-September 5, weekly incidence of COVID-19 among persons aged 18-22 years rose by 55.1% nationally; across U.S. Census regions,* increases were greatest in the Northeast, where incidence increased 144.0%, and Midwest, where incidence increased 123.4%. During the same period, changes in testing volume for SARS-CoV-2 in this age group ranged from a 6.2% decline in the West to a 170.6% increase in the Northeast. In addition, the proportion of cases in this age group among non-Hispanic White (White) persons increased from 33.8% to 77.3% during May 31-September 5. Mitigation and preventive measures targeted to young adults can likely reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission among their contacts and communities. As colleges and universities resume operations, taking steps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among young adults is critical (7).

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.

Background: Due to limited therapeutic options and potential for spread, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)-producing New Delhi metallo-β-lactamases (NDMs) are a public health priority. We investigated the epidemiology of NDM-producing CRE reported to the CDC to clarify its distribution and relative prevalence. Methods: The CDC’s Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network supports molecular testing of CRE for 5 carbapenemases nationally. Although KPC is the most common carbapenemase in the United States, non-KPC carbapenemases are a growing concern. We analyzed CRE with any of 4 non-KPC plasmid-mediated carbapenemases (NDM, VIM, IMP, or OXA-48 type) isolated from specimens collected from January 1, 2017, through June 30, 2019; only a patient’s first isolate per organism–carbapenemase combination was included. We excluded isolates from specimen sources associated with colonization screening (eg, perirectal). We compared the proportion of NDM-producing CRE to all non-KPC–producing CP-CRE between period A (January to June 2018) and period B (January to June 2019). Health departments and the CDC collected additional exposure and molecular information in selected states to better describe current NDM-producing CRE epidemiology. Results: Overall, 47 states reported 1,013 non–KPC-producing CP-CRE (range/state, 1–109 isolates; median, 11 isolates); 46 states reported 631 NDM-producing CRE (range/state, 1–84; median, 6). NDM-producing CRE increased quarterly from the third quarter of 2018 through the second quarter of 2019; CP-CRE isolates with other non-KPC carbapenemases remained stable (Fig. 1). In period A, 124 of 216 emerging CP-CRE had NDM (57.1%), compared with 255 of 359 emerging CP-CRE (71.0%) during period B (P = .1179). Among NDM-producing CRE, the proportion of Enterobacter spp increased from 10.5% in 2018 to 18.4% in 2019 (P = .0467) (Fig. 2). In total, 18 states reported more NDM-producing CRE in the first 6 months of 2019 than in all of 2018. Connecticut, Ohio, and Oregon were among states that conducted detailed investigations; these 3 states identified 24 NDM-producing CRE isolates from 23 patients in period B. Overall, 5 (21.7%) of 22 patients with history available traveled internationally ≤12 months prior to culture; 17 (73.9%) acquired NDM-producing CRE domestically. Among 15 isolates sequenced, 8 (53.3%) carried NDM-5 (6 E. coli, 1 Enterobacter spp and 1 Klebsiella spp) and 7 (46.7%) carried NDM-1 (6 Enterobacter spp and 1 Klebsiella spp). Species were diverse; no single strain type was shared by >2 isolates. Conclusions: Detection of NDM-producing CRE has increased across the AR Lab Network. Among states with detailed information available, domestic acquisition was common, and no single variant or strain predominated. Aggressive public health response and further understanding of current US NDM-CRE epidemiology are needed to prevent further spread.Disclosures: NoneFunding: None

We report on a carbapenemase-producing hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae (CP-hvKP) isolate collected from a U.S. patient at an outpatient clinic. The isolate was identified as K. pneumoniae serotype K1 sequence type 23 and included both a hypervirulence (with rmpA, rmpA2 iroBCDN, peg-344, and iucABCD-iutA genes) and a carbapenemase-encoding (bla(KPC-2)) plasmid. The emergence of CP-hvKP underscores the importance of clinical awareness of this pathotype and the need for continued monitoring of CP-hvKP in the United States.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are multidrug-resistant bacteria that persist in healthcare environments, particularly in wastewater reservoirs where they can pose risks for patients. Healthcare-associated outbreaks of carbapenemase-producing (CP) CRE can be propagated via a single bacterial strain and/or mobile genetic element (MGEs) harboring a carbapenemase gene. Unlike chromosomally encoded carbapenemases, CP-MGEs can rapidly facilitate the spread of these carbapenemase genes across bacterial strains. From July 2017 to December 2018, the Florida Department of Health in Orange County investigated an outbreak of patients colonized with various bacterial genera of CP-CRE carrying the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase gene (blaKPC), indicating a potential MGE reservoir. WGS was performed to identify transmission pathways and linked cases, beyond what traditional testing provides. Methods: We selected a subset of blaKPC-harboring isolates for WGS on short- and long-read platforms (MiSeq, PacBio, MinION) to achieve high quality, complete genome and plasmid assemblies. Laboratory, clinical, and epidemiological data were combined to identify possible transmission events, common sources, and common MGEs. Results: Eleven clinical isolates from 5 genera (Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Morganella, Providencia, and Serratia), and 10 environmental isolates collected from the pharmacy and medication room, ICU, and patient rooms and comprising 4 genera (Citrobacter, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, and Serratia) underwent WGS. Although short-read WGS elucidated additional subsets of closely related strains, high genomic diversity was also observed within some species: Citrobacter freundii: 13,483 single-nucleotide variants (SNVs), 67% core genome; Enterobacter spp: 3–18,563 SNVs; 34%; and K. pneumoniae: 8–18,460 SNVs, 80%. Further analysis using long-read hybrid assemblies revealed 2 unique blaKPC-harboring plasmids. The first plasmid, pDHQP20145-KPC3 (50 kb), contained the blaKPC-3 gene and was detected in both patient and environmental isolates across 3 of the 5 sequenced genera. The second plasmid, pDHQP201745-KPC2 (180 kb), contained the blaKPC-2 gene, and was found across 2 CP-CRE genera isolated from both patients and the environment, including isolates from the medication room sink drain and a patient who received compounded oral medications. Conclusion: WGS identified 2 blaKPC-harboring plasmids, including pDHQP20145-KPC3, which was found across 3 genera of CP-CRE isolated from patients and the environment, supporting prolonged transmission of KPC-producing CRE in this facility, and a CP-MGE driving transmission. The rapid spread of emerging, potentially mobile, antimicrobial resistance has increased our need to further explore the genomic environment of promiscuous MGEs. WGS can contribute to infection control beyond traditional subtyping methods, such as pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE), as MGEs increasingly represent an important driver of transmission.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

BACKGROUND Pan-nonsusceptible (pan-NS) organisms require aggressive containment per current guidance. On January 1, 2018, the state public health laboratory (SPHL) alerted the state health department (SHD) to a pan-NS Acinetobacter baumannii at Hospital A. Patient A was admitted to Hospital A from a skilled nursing facility with ventilated residents (vSNF) and shared a bathroom with patient B, who later developed pan-NS A. baumannii infection. Prior to the vSNF, patient A was admitted at a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH). The SHD in conjunction with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the facilities identified and contained transmission over the next six months. METHODS SHD infection preventionists conducted in-person infection control assessments and addressed gaps with written feedback and phone calls. Admission screening and every two week point prevalence surveys (PPS) were done at the LTACH and vSNF. PPS continued until two consecutive negative rounds with no new cases. Screening was performed from rectal, sputum and wound specimens. Pan-NS cases demonstrated intermediate or resistant interpretations to all antibiotics tested; multidrug-resistant cases showed susceptibility to one antibiotic tested. Isolates were sent to CDC for whole genome sequencing (WGS) and OXA-23 testing. RESULTS During January 31–June 27, 2018, the vSNF and LTACH performed six and ten PPS, respectively. PPS and admission screens identified 12 cases, eight of which had OXA-23. WGS showed molecular evidence of transmission in the vSNF. SHD found no hand hygiene monitoring, no contact precaution signage, inconsistent use of personal protective equipment, and inadequate disinfection in the vSNF. LTACH observations included inadequate equipment disinfection. Sustained implementation of recommended infection prevention practices was observed. In June, both facilities had cessation of transmission. CONCLUSIONS An effective containment response to a multi-facility outbreak was facilitated by the SHD, SPHL, CDC and the impacted facilities.