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Review
. 2014 May;12(5):565-80.
doi: 10.1586/14787210.2014.902306. Epub 2014 Mar 25.

Epidemiology and prevention of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in the United States

Alice Y Guh  1 , Brandi M Limbago, Alexander J Kallen
Affiliations
Review

Epidemiology and prevention of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae in the United States

Alice Y Guh et al. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2014 May.

Abstract

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are multidrug-resistant organisms with few treatment options that cause infections associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. CRE outbreaks have been increasingly reported worldwide and are mainly due to the emergence and spread of strains that produce carbapenemases. In the United States, transmission of CRE is primarily driven by the spread of organisms carrying the Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase enzyme, but other carbapenemase enzymes, such as the New-Delhi metallo-β-lactamase, have also emerged. Currently recommended control strategies for healthcare facilities include the detection of patients infected or colonized with CRE and implementation of measures to prevent further spread. In addition to efforts in individual facilities, effective CRE control requires coordination across all healthcare facilities in a region. This review describes the current epidemiology and surveillance of CRE in the United States and the recommended approach to prevention.

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Conflict of interest statement

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.. Geographical distribution of carbepenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in the USA, November 2013.
IMP: Active on imipenem; KPC: Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase; MBL: Metallo-β-lactamases; NDM: New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase; OXA: Oxacillinases; VIM: Verona integron-encoded.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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