Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)

What are Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE)?

CRE are bacteria that are resistant to most antibiotics.  Enterobacteriaceae is a family of
bacteria.  Many of these bacteria live in our environment (in soil or water). Some of them can
get into our bodies and make us sick.  Members of the Enterobacteriaceae family of bacteria
can cause pneumonia, kidney and bladder infections, and bloodstream infections.   Most of the
Enterobacteriaceae can be treated with antibiotics.  However, because antibiotics have been
overused, many of the Enterobacteriaceae have become resistant to most of the available
antibiotics. The carbapenem antibiotics were developed to treat bacteria that had become
resistant to most other antibiotics.  About 10 years ago, we began to see bacteria from the
Enterobacteriaceae family that had become resistant to the carbapenem antibiotics.  These are
called Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae or CRE.

Are CRE dangerous?

They can be, because they are found in hospitals, and can cause infection in people who are
very sick.  Patients in intensive care units are at greatest risk, especially if they are on
ventilators and have central intravenous catheters in place.

Are CRE treatable?

Yes, usually.  However, because we have few antibiotics available to treat CRE, they can be
difficult to treat.  Patients can die from infections with CRE.


How can CRE be transmitted to other patients?

CRE can be transferred from the patient to the environment and to the hands of the care
provider (doctor or nurse or other person) when the care provider touches the patient or touches the patient with medical equipment, then touches another patient.

How can I prevent CRE in myself or a family member?

As far as we know now, the greatest risk for acquiring a CRE is in a hospital, especially in an
ICU.  If you or a family member are hospitalized, you should follow instructions for hand
washing and other infection control measures as requested. You should also expect your nurse
and other care providers to wash their hands and wear gloves and gown if necessary.  If you
have questions, talk with your physician or nurse.

http://www.vdh.virginia.gov/Epidemiology/factsheets/Carbapenem-Resistant_Enterobacteriaceae.htm

HookWorms

The hookworm is a parasitic nematode that lives in the small intestine of its host, which may be a mammal such as a dog, cat, or human. Two species of hookworms commonly infect humans, Ancylostoma duodenale and Necator americanus.

      

The live cycle of hookworm in human began when the (1) hookworm larvae enter the body through the skin or mouth and pass into the bloodstream. (2) The larvae travel through the bloodstream to the lungs. (3) Secretions from the lungs, which contain the larvae, are coughed up and swallowed, passing into the stomach. (4) The larvae pass into the intestine, where they mature into adult worms. The head of the adult hookworm has sharp, curved dental plates that enable it to cling to the intestine. (5) Eggs produced by female worms leave the body in the stool. The eggs hatch into larvae in the soil.




Hookworm is a public health problem in Africa, Asia, and South America. These hookworms mainly affect human.

Copper

Copper is a chemical element with the symbol Cu (from Latin: cuprum) and atomic number 29. it is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; a freshly exposed surface has a reddish-orange color. it is used as a conductor of heat and electricity, a building material, and a constituent of various metal alloys.

Copper occurs naturally as native copper and was known to some of the oldest civilizations on record. it has a history of use that is at least 10,000 years old, and estimates of its discovery place it at 9000 BC in the Middle East; a copper pendant was found in northern Iraq that dates to 8700 BC.

The major applications of copper are in electrical wires (60%), roofing and plumbing (20%) and industrial machinery (15%). copper is mostly used as a metal, but when a higher hardness is required it is combined with other elements to make an alloy (5% of total use) such as brass and bronze.

Copper is an essential trace element in plants and animals, but not some microorganisms. The human body contains copper at a level of about 1.4 to 2.1 mg per kg of body mass. After processing in the liver, copper is distributed to other tissues in a second phase.

Because of copper role in facilitating iron uptake  copper deficiency can produce anemia-like symptoms, neutropenia, bone abnormalities, hypopigmentation, impaired growth, increased incidence of infections, osteoporosis, hyperthyroidism, and abnormalities in glucose and cholesterol metabolism.