Reporting protocol for epidemiological, microbiological and genomic investigation of outbreaks and emerging resistance mechanisms for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales – version 3.0

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) threatens the ability to treat common infections, results in prolonged illness, disability, and death, and increases the cost of healthcare. Outbreaks of infections with antimicrobial-resistant microorganisms and the emergence of resistance mechanisms, including new high-risk multidrug-resistant (MDR) clones, should be detected and controlled as early as possible to avoid or reduce further spread.

The European Antimicrobial Resistance Genes Surveillance Network (EURGen-Net) is a network for genomic-based surveillance of healthcare-associated MDR bacteria, coordinated by ECDC. National reference laboratories (NRLs) or equivalent expert laboratories of European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA) and candidate countries currently participate in EURGen-Net. The primary objectives of EURGen-Net are to monitor the occurrence and geographic distribution of high-risk clones and resistance genes of public health importance and to support cross-border investigations of MDR pathogens outbreaks and related emerging resistance mechanisms. EURGen-Net has been conducting CRE outbreak investigations since 2018 and improved related procedures over time.