Nightmare Bacteria on the Rise in the U.S.: Hospitals Embrace LightStrike UV Technology to Remove CRE from Surfaces & Prevent Transmission

SAN ANTONIO, Sept. 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Infection rates from drug-resistant "nightmare bacteria" rose almost 70% from 2019 to 2023, according to a new study published by  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention researchers. These nightmare bacteria -- Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) -- are a family of bacteria that have developed resistance to carbapenem antibiotics, a powerful class of drugs often used to treat infections that don't respond to other antibiotics. 

CRE infections often spread by direct contact with an infected person's bodily fluids or via surfaces. Studies have shown that in healthcare facilities, traditional liquid chemical cleaning often leaves dangerous microorganisms (like CRE) behind and 20-40% of pathogen transmission events are from contaminated surfaces. To make matters worse, some pathogens are growing more resilient not just to antibiotics, but to certain cleaning disinfectants as well, posing an even greater risk to hospital patients and staff.

Many of the world's leading hospitals have enhanced their cleaning and disinfection strategy by investing in powerful ultraviolet (UV) light technology to reduce the number of pathogens on surfaces. In a milestone achievement, hospitals using Xenex LightStrike Germ-Zapping Robots recently completed 44 million cycles. Use of the LightStrike technology enhances the hospital's processes for cleaning rooms and removing the pathogens so they don't transmit from surfaces to patients, visitors, and staff. LightStrike delivers consistent, measurable microbial reduction on exposed surfaces in patient environments in as little as 2 minutes.

Utilized in more than 1,200 hospitals and healthcare facilities worldwide, including hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, retirement homes, and hospices, Xenex has a proven track record of success.

Xenex LightStrike+ Robots: The FDA-Authorized Solution

As of September 2023, the FDA is regulating UV devices used to reduce pathogens on non-critical medical device surfaces in healthcare facilities. If a UV device is being used to reduce pathogens anywhere in a hospital where non-critical medical equipment is present – like beds, IV poles, etc. – then it needs to be FDA authorized. Xenex was the first UV robot company to achieve FDA authorization for a "Whole Room Microbial Reduction" device. The LightStrike+ robot utilizes powerful pulsed xenon UV light to quickly reduce the number of pathogens on surfaces in healthcare facilities – including CRE, MRSA and  Clostridioides difficile (C.diff). The FDA designation signifies that the LightStrike+ robot has undergone rigorous testing and evaluation to demonstrate its safety and efficacy in reducing pathogens on surfaces in unoccupied healthcare rooms.

"The world's leading hospitals use LightStrike technology as part of their comprehensive disinfection strategy because they understand the importance of a clean environment.  Hospitals that are concerned about CRE and other deadly pathogens should be using LightStrike robots," said Morris Miller, CEO of Xenex.

About Xenex Disinfection Services

Xenex is a world leader in innovative UV technology-based strategies and solutions. Xenex's mission is to enable its partners to save lives and reduce suffering by destroying the deadly microorganisms that can cause infections. Xenex is backed by well-known investors that include EW Healthcare Partners, Piper Sandler, Malin Corporation, Battery Ventures, Targeted Technology Fund II, Tectonic Ventures and RK Ventures. For more information, visit xenex.com. 

For more information, please contact:

Melinda Hart
Xenex
210 240 4669
[email protected]

SOURCE Xenex Disinfection Services