Prolonged carriage and potential onward transmission of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in Dutch travelers

Aim: The aim was to study acquisition and persistence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) among travelers. Materials & methods: Stools from 2001 travelers and 215 nontraveling household members, collected before and immediately post-travel as well as 1, 3, 6 and 12 months upon return, were screened for CPE. Results: Five travelers, all visiting Asia outside the Indian subcontinent, acquired CPE. One traveler persistently carried the same OXA-244 CPE up to 6 months post-travel. Three months after travel, her co-traveling spouse also became positive for this OXA-244 CPE strain, suggesting clonal transmission within this household. Conclusion: Acquisition of CPE is not restricted to travelers to the Indian subcontinent and/or to travelers seeking healthcare during travel and can persist up to at least 6 months post-travel.