Overview

• A CDC analysis published in Annals of Internal Medicine reports carbapenem-resistant infections increased from just under 2 to over 3 per 100,000 people between 2019 and 2023.
• NDM-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales drove most of the surge, accounting for 1,831 of 4,341 documented cases in 2023 across participating jurisdictions.
• Surveillance covered 29 states, and data exclude several populous states—including California, Florida, New York and Texas—indicating national counts are likely higher.
• Many clinical laboratories do not routinely perform carbapenemase testing, delaying detection and hindering mechanism-guided therapy, the CDC says.
• Only two intravenous antibiotics often remain effective against NDM infections, and the agency urges expanded testing and strengthened infection-control practices.