Healthcare professionals challenged by 14 distinct carbapenemase-producing micro-organisms in a war-injured Ukrainian patient

Infection. 2025 Aug;53(4):1517-1521. doi: 10.1007/s15010-025-02523-x. Epub 2025 Apr 24.

Abstract

The Russia-Ukraine war lead to evacuation of patients across Europe. We present an unprecedented case of a severely injured Ukrainian soldier carrying 11 carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales, two carbapenemase-producing Pseudomonas aeruginosa and one carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, together harboring six different carbapenemase genes and with evidence for in-patient transfer of resistance plasmids.

Keywords: CPE; CPPA; CRAB; Carbapenemase; Patient; Ukraine; War.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acinetobacter baumannii* / drug effects
  • Acinetobacter baumannii* / enzymology
  • Acinetobacter baumannii* / genetics
  • Acinetobacter baumannii* / isolation & purification
  • Adult
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents / pharmacology
  • Bacterial Proteins* / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins* / metabolism
  • Health Personnel
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Military Personnel
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / enzymology
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / genetics
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / isolation & purification
  • Ukraine
  • beta-Lactamases* / genetics
  • beta-Lactamases* / metabolism

Substances

  • beta-Lactamases
  • carbapenemase
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Anti-Bacterial Agents