Evaluation of sample pooling using Xpert Carba-R and Xpert <i>vanA</i>/<i>vanB</i> PCR for screening of carbapenemase-producing <i>Enterobacterales</i> and vancomycin-resistant <i>Enterococcus</i> colonization.

ABSTRACT: Screening for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) colonization among hospitalized patients is a standard infection control procedure that also guides appropriate antibiotic treatment in healthcare settings. Extensive CPE screening in low-prevalence regions imposes a considerable laboratory workload and substantial costs that can be mitigated through the utilization of pool testing. In this study, we evaluated PCR pooling for the detection of CPE and VRE colonization from rectal swabs collected in our hospital, using the Xpert Carba-R and Xpert vanA/vanB assays. CPE pooling demonstrated excellent performance, with 94.44% sensitivity (74.2-99.0 CI 95%), 100% specificity (99.1-100), 100% positive predictive value (81.

SUBMITTER: Keidar-Friedman D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12502523 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature