Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Pathogen Infections Found in Communities

A peer-reviewed study recently published in the American Journal of Infection Control found that 10% of infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) were community-associated, occurring in patients without known healthcare risks such as hospitalization or in long-term care facilities.

The 10% of cases that were California-CRE is near the upper boundary of the 5.6%-10.8% range identified among the four studies conducted in the USA.

Furthermore, molecular analysis of samples from those infections identified the presence of an enzyme that makes bacteria resistant to multiple classes of antibiotics and is carried on mobile genetic elements that are easily shared with other bacteria.

These findings, published on July 27, 2022, suggest the importance of case investigations of United States CA-CP-CRE that include patient interviews to characterize risk factors that might not be well-documented in the medical record and to inform prevention efforts for CP-CRE transmission.

Moreover, this study's findings are concerning because CRE infections are resistant to most antibiotics and are considered a significant public health threat by the U.S. CDC. 

More than 2.8 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur in the USA each year, and more than 35,000 people die as a result.

In November 2021, the CDC listed the germs in three categories—urgent, serious, and concerning—based on human health concerns.

The CDC's report also includes a Watch List with three threats that have not spread widely in the U.S. but could become common without continued aggressive action.

As of August 1, 2022, no preventive vaccines are authorized to target CRE.

Note: This study's summary was manually curated for mobile readers.