Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae

Infectious Agent Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae or Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, specifically Klebsiella species and E. coli, are gram-negative bacilli that have the ability to break down the carbapenem antibiotic rendering it ineffective. Carbapenem resistance by Enterobacteriaceae can occur by many mechanisms, including the production of a metallo-beta-lactamase or a carbapenemase (such as Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase, KPC) which can be transmitted from one Enterobacteriaceae to another. Metallo-beta-lactamases such as New Delhi metallo-beta-lactamase (NDM), are more common outside the United States. CRE can also have additional resistance mechanisms such as Verona Integron-Mediated Metallo-B-lactamase (VIM) and OXA-48, which enable organisms to be non-susceptible to many other classes of commonly used antibiotics.