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Test Code VRERP Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus, Molecular Detection, PCR, Varies

Reporting Name

VRE PCR

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Useful For

Identifying carriers of vancomycin-resistant enterococci

Method Name

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)


Necessary 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 Type

Varies

Specimen Minimum Volume

See Specimen Required

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Varies Varies

Reject Due To

E-swab, calcium alginate or, cotton-tipped swab
Swab sent in gel transport medium, viral or universal transport medium
Dry swab
Formalin or PVA fixative		 Reject

Reference Values

Negative

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.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

1 to 4 days

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.