Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae among pregnant women and newborns in Algeria: Prevalence, molecular characterization, maternal-neonatal transmission, and risk factors for carriage

The diffusion of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) represents a worldwide public health problem. This study revealed that the prevalence of OXA-48-producing enterobacteria was 4.6% (19/414) and 1.6% (7/422) in mothers and newborns, respectively, from 2 maternity units in Algeria. Previous hospital admission was an independent factor associated with an increased risk of CPE carriage in the mothers (P = .021). The low birth weight was significantly associated with this carriage in the newborns (P = .008). The screening of these bacteria is essential to prevent the dissemination of CPE. (C) 2018 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.