Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)

Introduction

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are a family of Gram-negative bacteria that are resistant to carbapenem, a class of anti-biotics used to treat infections. Carbapenems offer a broad-spectrum defense against a wide variety of both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, meaning that increasing resistance by CRE, to which there is no reliable treatment, is a major concern for the health industry. [2,3] Previously rare in the United States before 1992, CRE are becoming increasingly more common.[1] Although Enterobacteriaceae are normal human intestinal flora, resistance may be caused by the occurrence of hydrolyzing enzymes, such as serine β-lactamase KPC and the metallo–β-lactamase VIM.[3] Resistance to carbapenems is common in a number of Enterobacteriaceae, such as Kelbsiella pneumoniae and E. coli [3]. CRE typically cause infections in patients of hospitals and nursing homes [3]. The increasing prevalence and lack of reliable treatment have led many to predict CRE as the next "superbug." [3]

References

(1) Neil Gupta, Brandi M. Limbago, Jean B. Patel, Alexander J. Kallen; Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae: Epidemiology and Prevention. Clin Infect Dis 2011; 53 (1): 60-67. doi: 10.1093/cid/cir202 (2)http://prod.hopkins-abxguide.org/antibiotics/antibacterial/carbapenem/ertapenem.html (3)http://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/183101 Edited by student of Joan Slonczewski for BIOL 238 Microbiology, 2009, Kenyon College.