title: Four Cases of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Infection from January to March in 2014.
abstract: Infection with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and other multidrug resistant bacteria has increased rapidly in Korea. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 1,609 cases of CRE infection in the country in 2013. The risk factors for CRE infection include history of treatment with antibiotics such as cephalosporins or carbapenem, trauma, diabetes, cancer, and history of ventilator support. Herein, we report four cases of CRE infection seen during a 3-month period in our hospital in 2014. CRE infection is associated with a high mortality rate of 30% to 50%, even with combination antibiotic therapy. Prevention of CRE infection in hospital settings is fundamental to controlling its transmission. Key preventive measures include, contact precautions, hand hygiene, education of healthcare personnel, screening for CRE when indicated, and exercising discretion in prescribing carbapenem or cephalosporins.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: So Ri
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Chang Bun
authors.initials: CB
authors.lastname: Rim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Younghun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Woo
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Woong
authors.initials: YW
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Sang Ho
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji University Hospital, Eulji University School of Medicine, Daejeon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hee Jung
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Soonchunhyang University Cheonan Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea.
authors.forename: Sehoon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shim
keywords: Carbapenemase; Drug Resistance, Bacterial; Enterobacter cloacae; Enterobacteriaceae