{"id":13066,"date":"2026-10-14T11:55:53","date_gmt":"2026-10-14T00:55:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/latest-news\/\/"},"modified":"2026-10-14T11:55:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T00:55:58","slug":"under-the-microscope-cpe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tristel.com\/au-en\/latest-news\/under-the-microscope-cpe\/","title":{"rendered":"Under the microscope: CPE"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/span>Under the Microscope<\/span><\/a>

Pathogen profile<\/p>

CPE\"\"<\/span><\/p>

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales<\/p>

Type<\/p>

Gram-negative bacteria<\/p><\/div>

Includes<\/p>

Klebsiella pneumoniae<\/em>, E. coli<\/em>, Enterobacter<\/em> spp. and more<\/p><\/div>

Resists<\/p>

Carbapenems, last-line antibiotics<\/p><\/div>

World Health Organization status<\/p>

Critical priority<\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n

Jump to a section<\/p>

CPE vs CRE<\/a>Where it’s found<\/a>Infections<\/a>Transmission<\/a>Why it’s a threat<\/a>Prevention<\/a>Defence<\/a><\/div><\/div>\n

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are Gram-negative bacteria, including Klebsiella pneumoniae<\/em>, Escherichia coli<\/em> and Enterobacter<\/em> species, that produce carbapenemase enzymes. These enzymes break down carbapenem antibiotics, which are usually reserved as last-line treatments for severe infections.<\/p>\n

Infections caused by CPE can therefore be difficult to treat because of the pathogens’ high drug resistance. CPE fall within carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, which the WHO recognises as critical-priority antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.<\/p>\n<\/span>

CPE vs CRE: what’s the difference?<\/h2>\n
CRE<\/span>CPE<\/span><\/div>

CRE<\/strong> (carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales) refers to any Enterobacterales resistant to carbapenems, by any mechanism.<\/p>

CPE<\/strong> are a subset of CRE, where resistance is caused specifically by carbapenemase enzymes.<\/p>

All CPE are CRE, but not all CRE are CPE.<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

CPE pose a greater transmission risk because carbapenemase genes spread rapidly to other organisms via plasmids.<\/p>\n<\/span>

Where is CPE found in healthcare settings?<\/h2>\n

CPE primarily colonise the gastrointestinal tract, with bacteria shed into faeces.<\/p>\n

In healthcare environments, CPE can contaminate surfaces, shared bathrooms, equipment and wet areas such as sinks and drains, which can become persistent reservoirs.<\/p>\n

\"Hospital
<\/span>Sinks, drains and splash zones can become persistent reservoirs for CPE.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tap to find out<\/p>\"\"<\/div>\n

?<\/span>Did you know?<\/span>CPE can persist in healthcare environments for long periods.<\/span><\/span>Find out more<\/span><\/summary>

Its ability to survive in the environment and spread through plumbing systems means CPE can persist without effective IPC measures.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<\/span>

What infections does CPE cause?<\/h2>\n

Many people become colonised with CPE without symptoms. However, infections caused by CPE are associated with high morbidity and mortality, largely due to limited effective antibiotic options.<\/p>\n

<\/span>

Colonised<\/p>

Many people carry CPE without any symptoms.<\/p><\/div>→<\/span>

<\/span>

Infected<\/p>

If the bacteria enter normally sterile sites, they can cause severe infections:<\/p>

Bloodstream infections<\/span>Pneumonia<\/span>Urinary tract infections<\/span>Wound and surgical site infections<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/span>

How is CPE transmitted?<\/h2>\n

CPE spreads easily through several routes:<\/p>\n

Transmission routes<\/p>

1<\/span>Direct contact with colonised or infected individuals<\/span><\/div>
2<\/span>Contaminated hands of healthcare workers<\/span><\/div>
3<\/span>High-touch surfaces such as bed rails, call bells, toilet flushes and door handles<\/span><\/div>
4<\/span>Shared bathrooms, commodes and sanitary spaces<\/span><\/div>
5<\/span>Contaminated sinks, drains and splash zones<\/span><\/div>
6<\/span>Reusable medical devices and shared patient equipment not thoroughly cleaned and disinfected<\/span><\/div>
7<\/span>Patient transfers where CPE status isn’t communicated<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n
\"Healthcare
<\/span>High-touch surfaces near the patient, such as bed rails and call bells, are common routes of spread.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
?<\/span>Did you know?<\/span>Wet environments are particularly high-risk for ongoing CPE transmission.<\/span><\/span>Find out more<\/span><\/summary>

Water reservoirs and wet areas, such as sinks, drains and splash zones, can act as persistent sources of CPE.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<\/span>

Why is CPE a major microbial threat?<\/h2>\n

Threat profile<\/p>

Five reasons CPE is so dangerous<\/h3>
<\/span>

Extreme antibiotic resistance<\/strong> across multiple drug classes<\/span><\/p><\/div>

<\/span>

Transferable resistance genes<\/strong> carried on plasmids<\/span><\/p><\/div>

<\/span>

Environmental persistence<\/strong> especially in wet systems and plumbing<\/span><\/p><\/div>

<\/span>

High outbreak potential<\/strong> in hospitals and aged care facilities<\/span><\/p><\/div>

<\/span>

Increased mortality<\/strong> due to limited treatment options<\/span><\/p><\/div><\/div>\n

?<\/span>Did you know?<\/span>CPE can spread silently.<\/span><\/span>Find out more<\/span><\/summary>

Patients can remain colonised long-term without symptoms, which can result in silent spread within healthcare facilities.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n<\/span>

How to prevent CPE transmission<\/h2>\n

The following infection prevention and control (IPC) measures work together to reduce colonisation pressure and prevent outbreak escalation.<\/p>\n

The IPC bundle<\/p>

Seven measures that work together<\/h3><\/div><\/div>

People<\/p>