Antimicrobial resistance by Enterobacteriaceae in Latin America and the Caribbean 2013-2023

Abstract

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem, also known as the silent pandemic, due to the increasing rate of multi-resistant and pan-resistant bacteria. Enterobacteria are important to this problem because they are the most common at the hospital and community level and can produce beta-lactamase enzymes that inhibit beta-lactam antibiotics. Objective: To report the beta-lactam antibiotics with the highest efficacy against beta-lactamase enzyme-producing enterobacteria and the incidence of these enterobacteria in Latin America from 2013 to 2023. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted using the PRISMA method and sources such as PAHO, SciELO, Redalyc, PubMed, and the Google Scholar metasearch engine, collecting 69 documents and maintaining seven based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results: Based on the different studies, it was found that the enterobacteria with antimicrobial resistance and the highest incidence in hospitals are E. coli, K. pneumoniae, and Enterobacter spp., and the beta-lactam antibiotics with higher efficacy against beta-lactamase enzymes are Imipenem and Meropenem; however, it has also begun to lose its effectiveness, causing a more drastic alternative treatment to be recommended, such as colistin. Conclusion: In Latin American hospitals, a large number of cases of bacterial infections produced by enterobacteria with multi-resistance to beta-lactams can be observed, caused by patient self-medication, which, despite efforts to control the sale of these medications, continues to exist a high rate of enterobacteria with antimicrobial resistance (AMR). General study area: Biochemistry and Pharmacy. Specific area of study: Microbiology. Type of study: Literature review.