Active surveillance in response to the identification of a single carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli at a Japanese university hospital

Abstract This report described the experience of active surveillance cultureimplemented in response to the identification of a single carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coliin a Japanese university hospital. It revealed a horizontal transmissionevent and an additional asymptomatic carrierof carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coliwith unique drug susceptibility and resistance gene profiles. Early implementation of active surveillance cultureas a part of multifaceted infection controlmeasures appeared to be useful to control further transmission of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia colieven in the low endemic facility. Further investigations on the timing and usefulness of active surveillance culturein the control of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceaewould be warranted.