Background The global spread of carbapenemase‐producing Enterobacterales (CPE) has emerged as a significant public health challenge. However, epidemiological studies on CPE infections in Latin America remain scarce. This study aims to characterize bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by CPE at a tertiary hospital over a 6‐year period and analyze the associated demographic, clinical, and microbiological data. Methods This retrospective, observational, analytical study was conducted at a single center in Cali, Colombia, between January 2016 and December 2021. Patients with BSIs due to CPE were identified through phenotypic or molecular carbapenemase detection tests. Demographic, clinical, and microbiological data were extracted from electronic medical records. Multivariate logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with mortality. Results A total of 139 BSI episodes caused by CPE were identified. Klebsiella pneumoniae accounted for 58.3% of the cases, with 46.0% harboring KPC enzymes. Invasive devices were used in 95% of the patients, most commonly venous catheters, urinary catheters, and mechanical ventilation. The predominant source of infection was catheter‐related BSI (35.0%, n = 49). Multivariable analysis identified age (adjusted odds ratio aOR, 1.053; 95% CI, 1.026–1.089; and p < 0.001), ICU length of stay (aOR, 1.021; 95% CI, 1.004–1.039; and p = 0.014), and lack of effective empirical therapy (aOR, 0.246; 95% CI, 0.105–0.577; and p = 0.001) as factors associated with in‐hospital mortality. Conclusions This study identified key characteristics of patients at elevated mortality risk due to BSIs caused by CPE, highlighting the importance of early detection and tailored treatment strategies based on local epidemiological data .
Cáceres-González et al. (2026) studied this question.