Combating the spread of carbapenemases in Enterobacteriaceae: a battle that infection prevention should not lose

Abstract

The emergence of carbapenemases in Enterobacteriaceae has raised global concern among the scientific, medical and public health communities. Both the CDC and the WHO consider carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) to constitute a significant threat that necessitates immediate action. In this article, we review the challenges faced by laboratory workers, infection prevention specialists and clinicians who are confronted with this emerging infection control issue.

Keywords: Carbapenemase; Enterobacteriaceae; carbapenem-resistant; infection prevention; review.