Observation of Increase in NDM-1 positive K.pneumoniae in Germany with link to previouse exposure to Ukraine

In 2022, German surveillance systems observed rapidly increasing numbers of NDM-1- and NDM-1/OXA-48-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae, which in part may reflect recurring pre-pandemic trends. Among these cases, however, a presence in Ukraine prior to diagnosis was frequently reported. Whole genome sequencing of 200 isolates showed a high prevalence of sequence types ST147, ST307, ST395, and ST23, including clusters corresponding to clonal dissemination and suggesting onward transmission in Germany. Screening and isolation of patients from Ukraine may help to avoid onward transmission