Eskape

Acronym for multi-resistant bacteria (MRE), which frequently occur in nosocomial infections (Santajit S et al. 2016). This includes the following bacteria (Pendleton JN et al. 2013):

• Enterobacteriaceae: multiresistant through the formation of extended spectrum β lactamases (ESBL) or carbapenemases
• Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant(MRSA)
• Klebsiella pneumoniae with formation of carbapenemases
• Acinetobacter spp., multi-resistant
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa, multi-resistant
• Enterococci, especially E. faecium with and without vancomycin resistance(AER)

Recently it has been proposed to change the acronym "ESKAPE" to "ESCAPE": Klebsiellae should be grouped under "E" with other enterobacteria. Instead, Clostridium difficile ("C") should be included due to:

• its virulence,
• the rapid spread and
• the high relapse rates after successful therapy

be included in the definition.

1. Pendleton JN et al (2013) Clinical relevance of the ESKAPE pathogens. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 11:297-308.
2. Santajit S et al (2016) Mechanisms of Antimicrobial Resistance in ESKAPE pathogens. Biomed Res Int 2016:2475067.