29 Enterobacter (Carbapenem Resistant)

CDC Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales page

45 cases

7 deaths

46.7 % of cases were hospitalized

3.7 cases per 100,000 population


29.1 Epidemiologic Review

29.1.1 Disease Information

Overview: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacter is a bacterium that is resistant to one or more carbapenem antibiotics. Carbapenemase-producing bacteria make enzymes called carbapenemases that inactivate carbapenems and other β-lactam antibiotics, including penicillins and cephalosporins. The five most common carbapenemases are KPC, NDM, VIM, OXA, and IMP.

Symptoms: Symptoms vary depending on the type of disease and some people may be asymptomatic.

Transmission: Person-to-person contact of infected stool or wounds. Contaminated medical equipment can also transmit disease.

Treatment: Treatment varies with each isolate. Some cases may be susceptible to a small number of antibiotics while others are pan-resistant, meaning no treatment is available.

Prevention Proper hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment and environmental cleaning practices help reduce the spread of disease. Practicing antibiotic stewardship could help in reducing antibiotic resistance.

29.1.2 Demographics


Rates for <1, 1-4, 5-17, and 18-29 years of age are not displayed due to low case counts.


Racial and Ethnicity demographic data are not presented due to low counts.

29.1.3 Outbreaks

No outbreaks were identified.

29.1.4 Monthly and Historical Comparisons



Data for Utah and the CDC were retrieved from the CDC’s Notifiable Infectious Disease Data Tables.

29.2 Key Things to Know

  • Common comorbidities among cases included cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, renal disease, and diabetes.
  • 15 cases (33%) had the risk factor of frequent urinary tract infections.
  • 29 cases (64%) were identified through a urine specimen type.
  • Of the cases who were hospitalized, 10 out of 21 (48%) had a stay in an intensive care unit.
  • 37 isolates (82%) were resistant to ertapenem and 9 isolates (20%) were resistant to imipenem.
  • 3 carbapenemase producers (7% of total) were detected.