Korean J Med.  2019 Apr;94(2):170-172. 10.3904/kjm.2019.94.2.170.

Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae: Rapid Laboratory Diagnosis and Surveillance Culture for Infection Control

• Woo KS

• KMID: 2446971
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3904/kjm.2019.94.2.170

Abstract

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are increasing rapidly worldwide and in South Korea, which is a major problem for patient treatment and infection control. CRE is mainly due to carbapenem-hydrolyzing β-lactamase, which spreads through genetic mobile elements. Therefore, the rapid detection of carbapenemase-producing CRE (CP-CRE) and carrier surveillance are very important for infection control. Most clinical microbiology laboratories use automated real-time PCR methods for the rapid detection of CP-CRE; in some cases, additional accurate molecular tests are necessary. For the surveillance of risk groups, the complementary use of liquid culture and real-time PCR methods is important, taking into consideration their advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, the expansion of surveillance targets is also necessary.

Keyword

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae; Carbapenemase; Laboratory diagnosis; Surveillance culture

MeSH Terms

Clinical Laboratory Techniques*
Enterobacteriaceae*
Humans
Infection Control*
Korea
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction