Rapid Detection of VanA/B-Producing Vancomycin-Resistant enterococci using Lateral Flow Immunoassay from colonies and blood culture

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) have become one of the most important nosocomial pathogens worldwide associated with increased treatment costs, prolonged hospital stay, and high mortality. Rapid detection is crucial to reduce their spread and prevent infections and outbreaks. The lateral flow immunoassay NG-Test VanB (NG Biotech) was evaluated for the rapid detection of VanB-producing vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VanB-VRE) using 104 well-characterized enterococcal isolates. The sensitivity and specificity were both 100%, when bacterial cells were grown in the presence of vancomycin used as VanB inducer. The NG-Test VanB is an efficient, rapid, and easy to implement assay in clinical microbiology laboratories for the confirmation of VanB-VREs either from colonies or from positive blood cultures. Together with the NG-Test VanA, they could complete/replace the already existing panel of tests available for confirmation of acquired vancomycin resistance in enterococci, especially from selective media (rectal screenings) or from antibiograms (infections), with a sensitivity and specificity of both of 100%. The rapid detection in less than 15 minutes will result in more efficient management of carriers and infected patients.