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HelpTest ID: VRERP Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies
Reporting Name
VRE PCRUseful For
Identifying carriers of vancomycin-resistant enterococci
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.
Interpretation
Positive test results indicate the presence of either vanA or vanB, which confer vancomycin resistance in Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium (and occasionally other organisms). Patients with a positive test result should be placed in isolation or t with other vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) carriers according to the institution's infection control practices.
A negative result indicates the absence of detectable vanA or vanB DNA but does not rule-out carrier status and may occur due to inhibition of polymerase chain reaction (PCR), sequence variability underlying primers or probes, or the presence of VRE DNA in quantities less than the limit of detection of the assay. In the rare event that PCR testing appears to be negative but there is evidence of PCR inhibition, the result will read "PCR inhibition present." In such cases, a new specimen should be submitted for repeat testing.
Report Available
1 to 4 daysDay(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
Clinical Reference
1. Procop GW, Church DL, Hall GS, et al. Gram-positive cocci, Part II: Streptococci, Enterococci, and the “Streptococcus-like" bacteria. In: Koneman's Color Atlas and Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology. 7th ed. Wolters Kluwer Lippincott Williams and Wilkins; 2017:801-804
2. Mayo Medical Laboratories Communique: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci: Colonization, infection, detection, and treatment. Vol 32, No. 11, November 2007
3. Zirakzadeh A, Patel R: Epidemiology and mechanisms of glycopeptide resistance in enterococci. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2005 Dec;18(6):507-512. doi: 10.1097/01.qco.0000186849.54040.2a
4. Zirakzadeh A, Patel R: Vancomycin-resistant enterococci: colonization, infection detection and treatment. Mayo Clinic Proc. 2006 Apr;81(4):529-536. doi: 10.4065/81.4.529
5. Patel R: Enterococcal-type glycopeptide resistance genes in non-enterococcal organisms. FEMS Microbiol Lett. 2000 Apr 1;185(1):1-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2000.tb09032.x
Method Name
Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Specimen Type
VariesNecessary 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
Specimen Minimum Volume
See Specimen Required
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varies | Varies | ||
Reference Values
Negative
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
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| VRERP | VRE PCR | 62261-3 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| SRC60 | Specimen source | 31208-2 |
| 84406 | VRE PCR | 62261-3 |
Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Microbiology Test Request (T244) with the specimen.
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