Rapid Increase in Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Retail Meat Driven by the Spread of the bla NDM-5 -Carrying IncX3 Plasmid in China from 2016 to 2018.

The presence and molecular characteristics of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) among meat products in China were investigated. A total of 110 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) isolates, including 94 Escherichia coli and 10 Kiebsiella pneumoniae isolates, were identified from 105 of 794 (13.2%) samples. The positive rates markedly increased from 2016 (9.4%) to 2018 (22.2%). Only bla(NDM) genes were detected; 79.1% of bla(NDM) genes were carried by IncX3 plasmids. Routine monitoring of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in the animal food supply is highly recommended.