Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae: A Life-Threatening Bacteria

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are gram-negative bacteria

resistant to carbapenems, the final line of defense against infections caused by
multidrug-resistant bacteria. Due to the restricted availability of effective antibiotics,
CRE is a considerable danger to healthcare systems because infections caused by
these organisms are difficult to cure and frequently linked with high mortality (Thanh
Dong et al., 2020). These bacterial strains are resistant to a class of antibiotics
(carbapenem) used to treat serious infections, as well as to the majority of other
regularly used antibiotics and, in some circumstances, to all available medicines.
Antibiotic-resistant bacteria can cause various illnesses, including pneumonia, urinary
tract infections, and skin infections. CRE superbugs may spread throughout the body
and transfer their antibiotic resistance to good bacteria. These superbugs can cause
illnesses if they enter the bladder, bloodstream, or other unintended locations
(Adesanya & Igwe, 2020). Effective treatment is difficult, if not impossible when an
infection occurs. Critical illness, comorbid illnesses, treatment for cancer, organ or stem
cell transplantation, invasive equipment or mechanical ventilation, and past use of
broad-spectrum antimicrobials are risk factors associated with higher CRE infections
(Kelly et al., 2017). Also, Carbapenem resistance can be mediated by three
fundamental mechanisms: enzyme production (carbapenemase), efflux pumps, and
mutation of the porin gene, with enzyme production (carbapenemase) being the primary
resistance mechanism. Because CRE is resistant to carbapenem medications,
considered the final line of defense for treating multidrug-resistant bacterial infections,
they pose a significant threat to people in healthcare settings. High levels of antibiotic
resistance in CRE frequently leave only less effective and more dangerous therapy
alternatives.
References
Adesanya, O., & Igwe, H. (2020). Carbapenem-resistant
<em>Enterobacteriaceae</em> (CRE) and gram-negative bacterial  infections  in 
south-west  Nigeria:  a  retrospective epidemiological surveillance study. AIMS Public
Health, 7(4), 804–815. https://doi.org/10.3934/publichealth.2020062
Kelly, A. M., Mathema, B., & Larson, E. L. (2017). Carbapenem-resistant
Enterobacteriaceae in the community: a scoping review. International Journal of
Antimicrobial Agents, 50(2), 127–134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2017.03.012
Thanh Dong, L., V. Espinoza, H., & Luis Espinoza, J. (2020). Emerging  superbugs: 
The  threat  of  Carbapenem  Resistant Enterobacteriaceae. AIMS Microbiology, 7(3),
176–182. https://doi.org/10.3934/microbiol.2020012