CRE: The new superbug- Diajah Williams

Carbapenem-resistant enterobacteriaceae (CRE) is a family of gram-negative bacteria that are nearly immune to the carbapenem class of antibiotics, which is considered the "drug of last resort" for these infections. Labeled, "One of the three greatest threats to human health" by the World Health Organization, these dangerous pathogens can cause infections in the urinary tract, lungs, blood, and other areas. These bacteria are members of related bacterial genera that are commonly found almost everywhere in the world, often inhibiting humans and animals. However, CRE possess a unique genetic makeup that allows the bacteria to make a component (an enzyme) that protect CRE bacteria from a powerful antibiotic, Carbapenem.

The hereditary qualities of Enterobacteriaceae are perplexing; numerous genera and strains have hereditary material that codes for safety against numerous sorts of antibiotics. Tragically, as a strain creates imperviousness to an antibiotic, not just does it get to be impervious to that antibiotic, the qualities that present imperviousness to one antibiotic get to be connected to one another. Hence, as different antibiotic resistance occurs, the genetic material can become linked together thus conferring antibiotic resistance to several antibiotics in a single bacterial strain.

Klebsiella species and Escherichia coli are examples of Enterobacteriaceae, a normal part of the human gut bacteria, that can become carbapenem-resistant.

CRE is a Healthcare-associated Infections (HAI) Healthcare associated infections are infections that patients and healthcare providers develop during the course of receiving and giving healthcare treatment for other conditions.
It causes a number of different diseases, ranging from pneumonia to urinary tract infections, to serious bloodstream or wound infections.


The symptoms vary depending on the disease. CRE infection typically occurs in ill patients and patients with exposure to acute and long-term care settings.




CRE was first detected in a North Carolina hospital in 2001. Since that time, it has been identified in health care facilities in 41 other states. Studies showed that in 2012, 3% of patients in Chicago-area ICUs carried CRE. The same data indicated a 30% infection rate in long-term care facilities though not all patients are symptomatic. During just the first half of 2012, almost 200 hospitals and long-term acute care facilities treated at least one patient infected with these bacteria.


Specialists dread CRE as the new "superbug". The microbes kill up to 50% of patients who get circulation system infections,a rate much higher than other safe diseases, for example, MRSA or Clostridium difficile. The bacteria are likewise in some cases alluded to as "nightmare bacteria".

Presently, the flare-up of CRE microbes is little. On the other hand, it may not remain that way. Different specialists realize that numerous strains of Enterobacteriaceae can be dangerous and hard to treat even without being impervious to generally anti-infection agents.

There are currently few antibiotic options for treating CRE infections. Invasive CRE infections have been associated with >40% mortality.

Davis, Charles Patrick. “CRE Bacteria Infection (Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae).” Ed. John  P. Cunha. MedicineNet.com. MedicineNet, n.d. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. <http://www.medicinenet.com/cre_infection/article.htm>.

Render Media. “Deadly Bacteria Causing Incurable Blood Infections In Hospitals.” Opposing Views. Render Media, Inc., 6 Mar. 2013. Web. 23 Feb. 2016. <http://www.opposingviews.com/i/health/deadly-bacteria-causing-incurable-blood-infections-hospitals>.