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HelpTest ID VRERP Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies
Necessary Information
Specimen source is required.
Specimen Required
The high sensitivity of amplification by polymerase chain reaction requires the specimen to be processed in an environment in which contamination of the specimen by vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus DNA is unlikely.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Preferred:
Specimen Type: Perianal, perirectal, rectal, anal
Supplies: Culturette (BBL Culture Swab) (T092)
Container/Tube: Culture transport swab (Dacron or rayon swab with aluminum or plastic shaft with either Stuart or Amies liquid medium)
Specimen Volume: Swab
Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated (preferred)/Frozen
Acceptable:
Specimen Type: Preserved feces
Supplies: Culture and Sensitivity Stool Transport Vial (T058)
Container/Tube: Commercially available transport system specific for recovery of enteric pathogens from fecal specimens (15 mL of non-nutritive transport medium containing phenol red as a pH indicator, either Cary-Blair, Para-Pak C and S vial)
Specimen Volume: Representative portion of feces
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect fresh feces and submit 1 gram or 5 mL in container with transport medium.
2. Place feces in preservative within 2 hours of collection.
Specimen Stability Information: Ambient (preferred)/ Refrigerated
Specimen Type: Unpreserved feces
Supplies:
-Stool Container, Small (Random), 4 oz Random (T288)
-Stool Collection Kit, Random (T635)
Container/Tube: Fecal container
Specimen Volume: Representative portion of feces
Collection Instructions: Collect fresh fecal specimen and submit representative sample in fecal container.
Specimen Stability Information: Refrigerated (preferred)/Frozen
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.
Secondary ID
84406Useful For
Identifying carriers of vancomycin-resistant enterococci
Method Name
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Reporting Name
VRE PCRSpecimen Type
VariesSpecimen Minimum Volume
See Specimen Required
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Varies | Varies | |
Clinical Information
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are major nosocomial disease-causing bacteria. Patients who are particularly vulnerable to fatal disease from VRE include those with hematologic malignancies and liver transplants. Nosocomial spread of VRE occurs as the result of fecal carriage. Risks for both colonization and infection include prolonged hospitalization, intensive care unit stay, transplantation, hematologic malignancies, and prolonged exposure to antibiotics.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides recommendations to prevent the spread of VRE in institutional settings. These recommendations include isolation of patients experiencing active VRE infection, screening of patients by perianal swab or fecal testing to identify carriers of VRE, and subsequent isolation or cohorting of VRE carriers. Identification and isolation of VRE carriers has been shown to be cost-effective.
In Enterococcus faecalis or E faecium, vancomycin resistance is usually associated with the presence of vanA or vanB. The presence of these genes is detected by a molecular method in this assay.
Reference Values
Negative
Cautions
A positive result does not imply the presence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) disease; the presence of vanA or vanB correlates with colonization by VRE. Colonization with VRE is not associated with any signs or symptoms.
vanA or vanB may occasionally be found in organisms other than enterococci.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Report Available
1 to 4 daysPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Test Classification
This test was developed using an analyte specific reagent. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
87500