Investigation of carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae among patients at a community hospital — Kentucky, 2016

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Sae-Rom Chae, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Anna Yaffee, Emory University; Mark K. Weng, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; D. Cal Ham, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; Kimberly Daniels, Kentucky Department for Public Health; Amanda B. Wilburn, Kentucky Department for Public Health; Kimberly A. Porter, Kentucky Department for Public Health; Andrea H. Flinchum, Kentucky Department for Public Health; Sandra Boyd, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; Alicia Shams, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; Maroya Walters, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases; Alexander Kallen, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases
• Language: English
• Date: 2018-01-05
• Publisher: US Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: All material in the MMWR Series is in the public domain and may be used and reprinted without permission
• License: Creative Commons Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm665152a5
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
• ISSN: 0091-0031
• Volume: 66
• Issue: 51-52
• Start Page: 1410
• End Page: 1410
• Keywords: Bacterial Proteins; Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae; Humans; Hospitals, Community; Cross Infection; beta-Lactamases; Enterobacteriaceae Infections; Kentucky
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Health Care Management

Abstract

Carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CP-CRE) express plasmid-encoded carbapenemases, enzymes that inactivate carbapenem antibiotics. They have the potential for epidemic spread through person-to-person transmission and horizontal transfer of resistance mechanisms. Typically, CP-CRE are associated with health care exposure. Clinical CRE infections can have mortality rates as high as 50%; however, the majority of CRE patients are asymptomatic. These asymptomatic colonized patients can serve as a source for transmission to other patients.