The Biomerieux Solution Did You Know? Practical Advice

We evaluated the accuracy of the VITEK 2 fully automated system to detect andidentify glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE) compared to a reference agardilution method. The sensitivity of vancomycin susceptibility testing with VITEK 2for the detection of vanA, vanB, and vanC1 strains was 100%. The sensitivity ofvancomycin susceptibility testing of vanC2 strains was 77%. The sensitivity ofteicoplanin susceptibility testing of vanA strains was 90%. Of the 80 vanCenterococci, 78 (98%) were correctly identified by VITEK 2 as Enterococcusgallinarum/Enterococcus casseliflavus. Since the identification and susceptibilitydata are produced within 3 and 8 h, respectively, VITEK 2 appears a fast andreliable method for detection of GRE in microbiology laboratories. ResultsVanA VanB VanC GSE*195 strains (no.)50158050Sensitivity on AST (%)100 100 9198Sensitivity with ID (%)97.5*GSE = glycopeptide susceptible enterococci MethodsReference methods were Rapid ID32® Strep for Identification and agar dilutionfor Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing.All strains have been tested to be unique (PFGE). Quotes‘‘VITEK 2 is the first automated susceptibility method that tests bothvancomycin and teicoplanin (1) for antimicrobial susceptibility, which isimportant for the description of the resistance phenotype.’’‘‘We have found that prolonging the opening hours of the microbiologylaboratory and adapting the workflow allow the production of earlier reports isan achievable goal.’’ Key results100 % detection for acquired resistant strains (vanA, vanB).‘‘Fast and reliable method for detection of GRE in microbiology laboratories.’’ ■ (1) Note : since teicoplanin is not FDA-approved, this molecule does not feature on the VITEK cards for the USmarket.Dr Nicole van den Braak(with her recent thesis)Erasmus Hospital Medical CenterRotterdam (Pr.H.Verbrugh)Questions & Answers:Importance of identification, differentiate colonizationand infection, how to perform screening,how to type VRE strains? VRE Facts with cost data: $18,000:hospitalization for a VRE Blood Stream infectionVRE control measures are cost-effective:one hospital can save $150,000/year Case study of the month september 2001Another series of questions & answers from University of Oklahoma with substantialinformation and many links. with many links to other sites covering variousaspects: fact sheets, lectures, scientific papers...www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/Lab/FactSheet/vre.htm www.phppo.cdc.gov/phtn/vrefacts.asp www.phppo.cdc.gov/dls/master/cs.asp www.enterococcus.ouhsc.edu www.bacteriamuseum.org/species/enterococcusWeb sites More than 10,000 customers already trust us(including 550 for VITEK 2 within 2 years)‘‘This is by far the largest installed base in the world ’’BIOMERIEUX leads the raceagainst bacterial resistance !