Success and Challenges Associated with Large-Scale Collaborative Surveillance for Carbapenemase Genes in Gram-Negative Bacteria.

The emergence and spread of antimicrobial resistance, especially in Gram-negative bacteria, has led to significant morbidity and increased cost of health care. Large surveillance studies such as the one performed by the Antibiotic Resistance Laboratory Network are immensely valuable in understanding the scope of resistance mechanisms, especially among carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria. However, the routine laboratory detection of carbapenemases in these bacteria remains challenging and requires further optimization.