What is CPE and CRE?
Carbapenem Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are bacteria that usually live harmlessly in the gut of humans. The presence of the bacteria is called ‘colonisation’ (a person is said to be a ‘carrier’). However, if the bacteria get into the wrong place, such as the bladder or bloodstream they can cause infection. CRE are resistant to the carbapenem class of antibiotics.
Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae
