A deadly bacteria that’s practically impervious to antibiotics is on the rise  and has appeared in medical facilities in 42 U.S. states, the Centers for  Disease Control and Prevention reports.

The rate of infection from carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, or CRE,  might seem low — 4% — but it has risen fourfold in just the last decade.  CRE is resistant even to last-resort drugs such as carbapenem and can  potentially be very deadly.

Up to half of patients who develop a bloodstream infection from CRE die,  according to the CDC report.  CRE can infect many different body systems — the bloodstream, soft tissues,  the urinary tract.

It thrives in hospitals, typically taking hold in already-sick patients,  often via ventilators, catheters or other equipment handled by medical  caregivers moving from patient to patient.

 

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