Evaluation of a multiplex PCR assay to rapidly detect Enterobacteriaceae with a broad range of β-lactamases directly from perianal swabs

Abstract

We developed and evaluated multiplexed molecular beacon probes in a real-time PCR assay to identify prominent extended-spectrum-β-lactamase, plasmid-mediated AmpC β-lactamase (pAmpC) and carbapenemase genes directly from perianal swab specimens within 6 h. We evaluated this assay on 158 perianal swabs collected from hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients and found that this assay was highly sensitive and specific for detection of CTX-M-, pAmpC-, and KPC-producing Enterobacteriaceae compared to culture on chromogenic agar.