CPE infection is a growing concern for families in Dee Why, especially given the rise of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” worldwide. If you have recently traveled overseas, you might be worried about the specific symptoms of CPE and what it means for your safety.
This guide cuts through the jargon to explain the NSW Health protocols we follow. We will clarify exactly how CPE infection testing works here at Dee Why Medical Centre and what signs you need to watch for.
What is CPE Infection?
CPE infection meaning is often misunderstood, so let’s start with the medical definition provided by state health authorities. CPE stands for Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales. Enterobacterales are a common family of bacteria that naturally live in the human gut (gastrointestinal tract). However, CPE are a specific type of these bacteria that have acquired a resistance gene. This gene allows them to produce an enzyme (carbapenemase) that breaks down carbapenems—a class of powerful antibiotics reserved for serious infections.
CRE CPE infection terms are often used interchangeably in medical literature. “CRE” stands for Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales. While they are related, the NSW Health guidelines note that they are not exactly the same group, though they overlap significantly. The critical takeaway for patients is that CPE are resistant to many standard treatments, including penicillins and cephalosporins.
What causes CPE infection is not the bacteria itself (since similar bacteria live in our gut naturally), but rather the acquisition of the resistance gene. This usually happens in environments with high antibiotic use. According to health guidelines, the bacteria become dangerous when they move from the gut to other parts of the body, such as the bladder, blood, or lungs, causing infections that are incredibly difficult to treat due to their resistance to standard medication.
Symptoms of CPE Infection
Symptoms of CPE infection can vary significantly depending on which part of the body the bacteria has invaded. It is important to distinguish between “colonisation” and “infection.” A person can be colonised with CPE, meaning the bacteria is sitting on a body surface (usually the gut) without causing any sickness. However, when an active infection occurs, the body reacts to the toxins produced by the bacteria.
What are the first signs of a CPE infection?
Because CPE is a bacterial resistance mechanism rather than a specific disease, the signs mimic those of other severe bacterial infections. If the bacteria enter the urinary tract, patients may experience burning during urination or kidney pain. If they enter the lungs, it may present as pneumonia with fever and difficulty breathing. In severe cases where the bacteria enter the bloodstream (bacteraemia), symptoms can include high fevers, chills, and confusion.
Transmission & Contagion
How do you get CPE infection is one of the most common questions we receive. Australian health data identifies overseas travel as the primary risk factor, particularly if you stayed in a hospital or received medical care while abroad. High-risk environments also include local healthcare settings where there may be a known outbreak, although strict controls are in place to prevent this.
CPE infection how is it spread relies largely on direct or indirect contact. The bacteria do not usually float in the air like the flu. Instead, transmission occurs via direct patient-to-patient contact or indirectly through the hands of healthcare workers or contaminated surfaces (like shared bathrooms or equipment).
CPE infection contagious nature is specific to these contact pathways. Patients who are colonised can transmit the bacteria to others even if they do not feel sick. The risk of spreading the bacteria is higher in patients who have diarrhoea, urinary catheters, or discharging wounds, as these conditions make it harder to contain the bacteria.
Is CPE highly contagious? In the general community (outside of hospitals), the risk to healthy people is generally low. However, in healthcare settings, it is treated as highly transmissible. This is why hospitals and clinics like ours implement rigorous screening for patients who have recently been in hospitals overseas.
Testing & Diagnosis
CPE infection test procedures are straightforward and are the only way to confirm if someone is carrying these bacteria. Because symptoms alone look like any other infection, doctors must rely on laboratory data.
How to test for cpe infection typically involves a screening swab. At Dee Why Medical Centre, if you fit the risk profile (such as recent overseas hospitalisation), we may request a rectal swab or a stool sample. If you have an active infection, such as a wound or urine infection, your doctor will send samples of that fluid to the laboratory. The lab uses molecular testing to look for the specific carbapenemase gene. NSW Health guidelines state that authorities enter confirmed cases into a state-wide database to help monitor and control the spread.
Treatment & Duration
How to treat CPE infection is a complex challenge that usually requires the involvement of infectious disease specialists. Because CPE is resistant to “first-line” and even “last-line” antibiotics (carbapenems), doctors have to use a very targeted approach. Treatment guidelines often involve using a combination of older, rarely used antibiotics or newer agents that the bacteria haven’t yet learned to fight. There is currently no recognized medical method to “decolonise” or completely flush the bacteria from a carrier’s gut; the focus is on treating active infections if they arise.
How long does CPE infection last or how long a person remains a carrier is variable. NSW Health documentation notes that colonisation beyond 12 months is well documented. The duration of carriage can be unpredictable, and it is unclear if it varies based on the specific type of resistance gene the bacteria carries.
Infection Control & Protocols
CPE infection control is a top priority for protecting public health. When medical staff identify a case, they immediately trigger specific protocols. This ensures that the patient receives the right care without putting other vulnerable patients at risk.
CPE infection control guidelines in NSW generally dictate that patients with suspected or confirmed CPE are managed with heightened awareness. If medical staff identify you as a carrier, they may place a “flag” on your medical file to manage any future hospital admissions safely from day one.
CPE infection control precautions involve strict hand hygiene and environmental cleaning. In a hospital setting, staff often use dedicated equipment for the patient (like blood pressure cuffs) and do not share it with others to break the chain of indirect transmission.
CPE infection PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) is utilized by staff to ensure safety. You may see healthcare providers wearing gowns and gloves when attending to a patient with CPE. This is standard procedure to prevent the bacteria from transferring to the staff member’s clothes or hands.
CPE infection isolation is common in hospitals. Hospitals often place a patient with CPE in a single room with their own ensuite bathroom. This isolation does not stigmatize the patient; it effectively contains the bacteria and protects other patients with compromised immune systems from infection.
CPE Infection and Pregnancy
CPE infection and pregnancy is a specific concern that requires careful medical management. While the NSW Health guideline provided does not have a specific chapter on pregnancy, the general principles of multidrug-resistant organisms apply. Pregnant women who received hospital care overseas or have a history of CPE colonization should immediately inform their obstetrician or GP. Because treatment options (antibiotics) are often more limited during pregnancy to protect the developing baby, preventing infection is paramount. Strict hygiene and early screening allow the medical team to prepare a safe birth plan that minimizes risk to both mother and child.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to test for cpe infection?
Doctors conduct testing by analyzing a clinical specimen in the laboratory. They typically collect a rectal swab or stool sample for screening, or test urine and wound fluid if they suspect an infection. The lab looks for the specific resistance gene.
What causes cpe infection?
It is caused by Enterobacterales bacteria that have acquired a resistance gene. The primary cause of acquisition in Australia is receiving medical care in an overseas facility where these superbugs are more common.
How long does cpe infection last?
The duration of colonisation (carrying the bacteria) varies and is unpredictable. NSW Health documents that patients can carry the bacteria for longer than 12 months.
Cpe infection how is it spread?
It spreads through contact. This includes direct contact with a patient, or indirect contact via contaminated hands of healthcare workers or equipment. It is not generally airborne.
Is CPE highly contagious?
It can be contagious in healthcare settings where patients have open wounds or catheters. However, NSW Health guidelines state that community contacts (outside of hospitals) are generally not at high risk of acquiring CPE.
What are the first signs of a CPE infection?
There are no signs if you are just “colonised.” If infected, signs depend on the site: burning urination (UTI), fever and cough (pneumonia), or redness and discharge (wound infection)
Contact Dee Why Medical Centre today to book a consultation or discuss your screening needs with our experienced general practitioners.
