By Lisa Haven

Doctors are now warning that there is a rise of a superbug that is resistant to antibiotics. The bug known as, Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are deadly. According to Wikipedia CRE/CPE  are:

“…Gram-negative bacteria that are resistant to the carbapenem class of antibiotics, considered the drugs of last resort for such infections. They are resistant because they produce an enzyme called a carbapenemase that disables the drug molecule. The resistance can vary from moderate to severe. Enterobacteriaceae are common commensals and infectious agents. Experts fear CRE as the new “superbug”. The bacteria can kill up to half of the patients who get bloodstream infections. Tom Frieden, former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has referred to CRE as “nightmare bacteria”. Types of CRE are sometimes known as KPC (Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase) and NDM (New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase). KPC and NDM are enzymes that break down carbapenems and make them ineffective. Both of these enzymes, as well as the enzyme VIM (Verona Integron-Mediated Metallo-β-lactamase) have also been reported in Pseudomonas.”

Currently, this bacteria has killed thousands and spreading in the state of Illinois. But is it something we should truly worry about? All that and more in this report…

For More Information See:

http://www.nbcchicago.com/investigations/Dangerous-Untreatable-Superbug-on-the-Rise-Doctors-421643214.html

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/apr/21/almost-untreatable-superbug-poses-serious-threat-to-patients-doctors-warn-carbapenemase-producing-enterobacteriaceae

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbapenem-resistant_enterobacteriaceae

http://wgnradio.com/2017/05/09/why-is-the-chicago-area-experiencing-a-surge-in-antibiotic-resistant-superbugs/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4434346/Rise-superbug-untreatable.html