CPO and CRO Surveillance

Carbapenemase producing organisms (CPO) are bacteria that produce an enzyme called carbapenemase which breaks down and digests an antibiotic class of drugs called carbapenems. As a result, CPO bacteria  are resistant to carbapenem antibiotics. Carbapenemase producing bacteria  have mostly been found in gram-negative bacilli, such as Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Bacteria that show resistance to carbapenem antibiotics, but show no evidence of carbapenemase production, are referred to as carbapenem resistant organisms (CRO). The bacteria may also be resistant to other classes of antibiotics. The genes that code for carbapenemase production can be exchanged to other bacteria which make CPO a public health risk, especially in healthcare settings.

In 2017, CRO reporting became a lab-reportable condition in Washoe County; however, Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) had been conducting CPO surveillance since 2010. Each year, the NNPH publishes CPO/CRO surveillance reports to inform local health professionals and state partners of CPO/CRO activity in Washoe County.

2020 CPO Surveillance Report

2021 CPO Surveillance Report

2022 Quarter 1-3 CPO Surveillance Report

2022 Quarter 4 CPO Surveillance Report

2023 Quarter 1 CPO Surveillance Report

2023 Quarter 2 CPO Surveillance Report

2023 Quarter 3 CPO Surveillance Report

2023 Quarter 4 CPO Surveillance Report

Rod collage

Last modified on 01/17/2024