The epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae: the impact and evolution of a global menace

LK Logan, RA Weinstein - The Journal of infectious diseases, 2017 - academic.oup.com
LK Logan, RA Weinstein
The Journal of infectious diseases, 2017academic.oup.com
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are a serious public health threat.
Infections due to these organisms are associated with significant morbidity and mortality.
Mechanisms of drug resistance in gram-negative bacteria (GNB) are numerous; β-lactamase
genes carried on mobile genetic elements are a key mechanism for the rapid spread of
antibiotic-resistant GNB worldwide. Transmissible carbapenem-resistance in
Enterobacteriaceae has been recognized for the last 2 decades, but global dissemination of …
Abstract
Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are a serious public health threat. Infections due to these organisms are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Mechanisms of drug resistance in gram-negative bacteria (GNB) are numerous; β-lactamase genes carried on mobile genetic elements are a key mechanism for the rapid spread of antibiotic-resistant GNB worldwide. Transmissible carbapenem-resistance in Enterobacteriaceae has been recognized for the last 2 decades, but global dissemination of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) is a more recent problem that, once initiated, has been occurring at an alarming pace. In this article, we discuss the evolution of CRE, with a focus on the epidemiology of the CPE pandemic; review risk factors for colonization and infection with the most common transmissible CPE worldwide, Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase–producing K. pneumoniae; and present strategies used to halt the striking spread of these deadly pathogens.
Oxford University Press