Beta-Lactamases-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria in the 21st Century

Dear Colleagues,

In recent decades, the increased detection of Gram-negative bacteria producing extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and/or carbapenemases has become an urgent public health concern. These enzymes confer resistance to antimicrobials that are generally used as a last-resort therapy for these pathogens, endangering available treatment options.

In particular, ESBLs confer resistance to all β-lactams and monobactams but are susceptible to carbapenems. Carbapenemases confer resistance to all β-lactams, including carbapenems. The genes that encode for ESBLs (e.g., bla_CTX-M) and carbapenemases (e.g., bla_KPC, bla_NDM) disseminate vertically, via successful clones, and horizontally, through the transfer of genetic elements inter- and intraspecies. In addition, the evolution of resistance in post-COVID-19 times has led to the dissemination of Enterobacterales harboring multiple carbapenemases and ESBLs.

This Special Issue of Pathogens, “Beta-Lactamases-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria in the 21st Century”, encourages submissions of original research papers and reviews that can bring an understanding and propose solutions to the main challenges in the subject. Areas of particular interest include drivers of transmission within the hospital, the community, to food and wild animals and the environment, as well as epidemiology and surveillance of Enterobacterales and non-fermentative Gram-negative bacteria and methodologies to decrease detection time and novel approaches to guide treatment.

We welcome and look forward to publishing your research.

Dr. Sonia Alejandra Gómez
Dr. María Soledad Ramírez
Dr. Pablo Power
Guest Editors

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