Researchers Report Success in Preventing CRE Colonization and Infection

A CDC microbiologist demonstrates the modified Hodge test, which is used to identify antibiotic resistance in bacteria known as Enterobacteriaceae. Bacteria that are resistant to carbapenems, considered “last resort” antibiotics, produce a distinctive clover-leaf shape. Source: CDC

Researchers from the Chicago Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Prevention Epicenter (C-PIE) were able to reduce colonization and infection of Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemaseproducing Enterobacteriaceae (KPC CRE) at four longterm acute care hospitals using a bundled approach of prevention strategies. Healthcare-associated infections due to antibioticresistant bacteria result in greater risk of death and higher costs. 

In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) declared carbapenemresistant Enterobacteriaceae an immediate public health threat requiring urgent and aggressive action. Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemaseproducing Enterobacteriaceae (KPC) are the most common carbapenemresistant Enterobacteriaceae worldwide. 

The C-PIE study was planned as a quality improvement project to prevent CRE colonization and infection in longterm acute care hospitals (LTACHs) in metropolitan Chicago. Four of seven LTACHs in the region were invited and agreed to participate in the project.  Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemaseproducing Enterobacteriaceae are an increasing threat to healthcare institutions. Longterm acute care hospitals have especially high prevalence of KPC.

Read the study in Clinical Infectious Diseases at: http://cid.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/ciu1173?ijkey=tTKDbp6XNhnCBY3&keytype=ref.

Learn more about carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in healthcare settings at: http://www.cdc.gov/HAI/organisms/cre/index.html.

Source: CDC