Global burden of Klebsiella pneumoniae infections and antimicrobial resistance in 2019

Purpose: To better target interventions against Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP) infections and antimicrobial resistance (AMR), we analyzed the global burden of KP using 2019 worldwide, regional and national data. Methods: The methodology employed in this study involved collecting data on KP infections and AMR from two reputable sources: the Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) 2019 and the Global Burden of Antimicrobial Resistance 2019 study. The analysis was based on a vast compilation of 471 million records, which informed eight distinct modeling components. Results: KP infections have resulted in approximately 800,000 deaths worldwide, 80% of which were attributed to AMR. Notably, lower respiratory tract infections, bloodstream infections, and intra-abdominal infections were identified as the primary infectious syndromes caused by KP, accounting for nearly 90% of KP-related deaths and exhibiting the highest age-standardized mortality rates. South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa showed the greatest incidence of fatalities linked to KP infections, with the latter region additionally displaying the highest number and rate of deaths associated with KP-AMR. The mortality attributed to AMR in KP patients was predominantly caused by resistance to carbapenems and third-generation cephalosporins, accounting for more than fifty percent of the reported deaths. Conclusions: KP has emerged as a significant concern within the realm of public health, particularly in areas characterized by limited financial resources. To adequately confront this escalating predicament, it is imperative to execute specific interventions.