Home
HelpTest ID VRERP Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus, Molecular Detection, PCR
Useful For
Identifying carriers of vancomycin-resistant enterococci
Method Name
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
(PCR is utilized pursuant to a license agreement with Roche Molecular Systems, Inc.)
Reporting Name
VRE PCRSpecimen Type
VariesThe high sensitivity of amplification by PCR requires the specimen to be processed in an environment in which contamination of the specimen by Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus DNA is unlikely.
Forms: If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request Form (T244) with the specimen (http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/it-mmfiles/microbiology_test_request_form.pdf).
Specimen source is required.
Submit only 1 of the following specimens:
Preferred:
Specimen Type: Perianal, perirectal, rectal
Container/Tube: Culture transport swab
Specimen Volume: Swab
Acceptable:
Specimen Type: Preserved Stool
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)
Specimen Volume: Representative portion of stool
Specimen Type: Unpreserved stool
Container/Tube: Stool container (Supply T288)
Specimen Volume: Representative portion of stool
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Varies | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days |
| Ambient | 7 days | |
| Frozen | 7 days |
Clinical Information
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are major nosocomial pathogens. 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 Enterococcus faecium, vancomycin resistance is usually associated with the presence of the vanA or vanB genes. The presence of these genes is detected by a molecular method in this assay.
Reference Values
Not applicable
Cautions
A positive result does not imply the presence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) disease; the presence of vanA or vanB genes correlates with colonization by VRE. Colonization with VRE is not associated with any signs or symptoms.
vanA or vanB genes may occasionally be found in organisms other than enterococci.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Friday
Report Available
1 dayPerforming Laboratory
Mayo Medical 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 U.S. Food and Drug Administration.CPT Code Information
87500