Reporting Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)
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Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)
Antibiotic Resistant/Multidrug Resistant Organisms (AR/MDROs)
Report a suspected or confirmed case within 1 work day to your local health department.
Clinical Case Definition
When found in a clinical culture, CRE can represent an infection or colonization. There is no set clinical case definition as both can cause many types of symptoms.
Laboratory Confirmation
- Report any Klebsiella species or E.coli from any body site/source that is laboratory confirmed.
Case Classification
- Any Klebsiella species and E. coli that are resistant to any carbapenem, including meropenem, imipenem, doripenem, or ertapenem, OR
- Production of a carbapenemase (i.e. KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP, OXA-48) demonstrated by a recognized test (i.e. polymerase chain reaction, metalloo ß-lactamase test, modified Hodge test, Carba NP).
CRE Reporting Form (PDF)
When reporting CRE, please include (if available):
- a copy of the lab report
- carbapenems tested
- susceptibility of antibiotics
- minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC)
- positive phenotypic or PCR test, if applicable.
*A DSHS or local health department epidemiologist may contact you for follow-up after receiving your report.