CRE stands for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.16 Enterobacteriaceae are a large family of different types of bacteria that commonly cause infections in healthcare settings.17 A subset of CRE, called carbapenemase-producing CRE (CP-CRE), are currently believed to be primarily responsible for the increasing spread of CRE in the U.S.16
In 2017, CRE caused an estimated 13,100 infections in hospitalized patients, and 1,100 estimated deaths in the U.S.14 Infections caused by these organisms are associated with high mortality rates among hospitalized patients, up to 50% in some studies.16
CRE are transmitted from person to person, often via the hands of healthcare personnel or through contaminated medical equipment.16