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.