Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, documents a significant rise in infections caused by NDM-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (NDM-CRE) in the United States. Between 2019 and 2023, these infections surged by more than 460%. NDM-CRE are a subgroup of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) that produce an enzyme called New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM), making them resistant to nearly all antibiotics. This results in limited treatment options and high rates of morbidity and mortality. Such infections can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and wound infections, all of which are difficult to treat and potentially deadly.
The CDC notes that detecting NDM-CRE is challenging because many clinical laboratories lack the capacity for adequate testing. This can affect healthcare providers’ ability to select effective treatments. The report emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to have access to appropriate testing to guide targeted therapy and improve patient outcomes.
According to the CDC, the sharp increase in NDM-CRE cases may be driven by gaps in infection control practices, such as hand hygiene, proper use of gloves and gowns, and effective cleaning and disinfection in healthcare settings. Without adequate infection prevention and control measures, NDM-CRE can spread rapidly within healthcare environments and into the community.
The CDC reports that in 2020 there were about 12,700 infections and 1,100 deaths in the U.S. due to CRE infections overall. The rise in NDM-CRE infections threatens to further increase the burden of these serious bacterial infections.