Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales
Enterobacterales is the name given to a family of bacteria that normally lives in the human gut. Some of these bacteria produce enzymes, called carbapenemases, which stop antimicrobials from working against the bacteria. Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are resistant to most types of antibiotics. There is a high mortality rate associated with infections caused by CPE due to limited treatment options.
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2021Guide, user guide or guidelinesThe Recommendations for the control of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (the CPE Guide) provides guidance on strategies to prevent, detect and contain CPE in Australian health service organisations.
The CPE Guide should be considered in conjunction with the Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare, relevant local policies and procedures and your infection control team.
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2021Fact sheet or brochureThis resource provides information to patients about the transmission of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales as well as information on how patients can play a role in preventing the transmission of CPE to others.
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2024Poster or graphicThis infographic highlights the increasing risk of CPE in Australia, and the strategies health care providers can use to prevent and control the spread of CPE.
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2022Guide, user guide or guidelinesThis resource provides information to nurses and doctors about strategies to prevent and manage infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in the acute care setting.
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2022Guide, user guide or guidelinesThis resource provides an overview of the key actions to prevent and manage infections caused by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) in the acute care setting. It summarises the Recommendations for the control of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales.
Surveillance of CPE in Australia
Data on CPE is captured by the National Alert System for Critical Antimicrobial Resistances (CARAlert).
Key facts about CPE in Australia reported to CARAlert:
- The prevalence of CPE continues to increase. Reports of CPE increased by 45% between 2022 and 2023
- A substantial majority (84%) of CPE were reported from public and private hospitals
- A substantial majority (82%) of all CPE were from blood specimens
- A little over one-half (58%) of CPE were clinical specimens, rather than for screening. Of these, 51% were from urine and 7% were from blood.
CARAlert also captures data on carbapenemase-producing Acinetobacter calcoaceticus-baumannii complex and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
For more information see AURA 2023 and CARAlert annual reports and data updates.