Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)

Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae, also known as CRE is drug resistant bacteria. It has the ability to fight off Carbapenem antibiotic. This drug-resistant bacteria is exposed in settings such as hospitals and long-term care facilities such as nursing home. People who are at higher risk for CRE infections are people using ventilators, urinary catheter, intravenous catheter and taking long courses of certain antibiotics (CDC). This bacteria is fast-spreading and deathly when infected, there was death in 40% of infected patients, which is far worse than other. Not all patients are symptomatic-the bacteria can lurk, unseen until a carrier's immune system is compromised or until the bug finds a path into the body and infection sets and it also clings to caregivers' hands. 

CRE infections have already become endemic in major U.S. cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and there isn't enough data to solve CRE problems. There is also a lack of lab capability to identify CRE. There is little chance that an effective drug to kill CRE bacteria will be produced; therefore, little financial incentive because the bacteria adapt quickly to resistant new drugs. 

The research conducted so far, the scientists found out that the resistance gene was jumping one by one to other species, creating new Carbapenem defying bugs. The gene is hitching a ride among bacteria on mobile pieces of DNA called Plasmids. Doctors and other scientists are concerned that the genes may convey resistance to more common strains such as Urinary Tract Infection which would be a nightmare. 

CRE infection is becoming a public health concern because it gets in the way of hospital units that spciealize in treatments such as organ transplants and chemotherapy because it relies on the ability to control infections.

Because there is not enough data on CRE or CRE infections, Center for Disease Control advised for caregivers to wash hands before touching patients, especially before inserting tubes and patients to wash hands after using the bathroom and before eating and touching eyes and nose.