Carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae: biology, epidemiology, and management

Introduced in the 1980s, carbapenem antibiotics have served as the last line of defense against multidrug‐resistant Gram‐negative organisms. Over the last decade, carbapenem‐resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) have emerged as a significant public health threat. This review summarizes the molecular genetics, natural history, and epidemiology of CRE and discusses approaches to prevention and treatment.