What is CRE? CRE, which means Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, are a family of over 70 different germs that have high levels of resistance to antibiotics which makes them difficult to treat. While Enterobacteriaceae are part of the normal human gut flora, Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli (E. coli) for example, these gut bacteria can develop resistance to antibiotics and become a dangerous infection. The way these bacteria develop their resistance to antibiotics is they create enzymes, called carbapenemase, to neutralize carbapenems and make them ineffective. Carbapenems are often considered the last line of defense against serious infections. Another way CRE can become resistant to carbapenems is through the production of beta-lactamases, an enzyme that neutralizes a different kind of antibiotic called beta-lactam, in combination with changes to the bacteria’s cell membrane. Who is at risk for getting a CRE infection? Healthy people are not at risk for CRE infections. The infections usually occur in people who are in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings. Those who utilize devices, such as ventilators, intravenous or urinary catheters, and those who are taking long courses of specific antibiotics are most at risk for CRE infection. CRE infections typically happen among sick patients who are receiving treatment for another condition. What is the difference between infection and colonization?
CRE can be responsible for either colonization or an infection. Colonization means that there are CRE in or on someone’s body, but it’s not causing any symptoms. Colonization can progress to cause infections if they gain access to the right part of the body. That is why those who use devices are at high risk; those devices provide a portal for the CRE to start an infection. Colonized people are also capable of spreading CRE to others. What can I do to prevent a CRE infection? CRE is usually spread person to person through contact with infected or colonized people, particularly contact with wounds or stool.
What are hospitals doing to prevent CRE infections?
How is CRE treated? This infection is often resistant to many of the common antibiotics, but they may still succumb to one or more other antibiotics. People who are colonized with CRE do not require any treatment.
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AuthorOPHIE records and analyzes data from disease investigations, identifies risk factors, and provides education on disease prevention in Nevada. Archives
November 2018
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