Rapid identification of the vanA/vanB resistance determinant in Enterococcus sp. from blood cultures using the Cepheid Xpert vanA/vanB cartridge system.

Especially in immunocompromised and intensive care patients VRE sepsis is associated with high mortality. The GeneXpert vanA/vanB assay is marketed for fast molecular surveillance of VRE colonization in peri-anal and rectal swabs. The aim of this study was to evaluate this assay for its usefulness for rapid identification of the vanAB determinant from positive blood cultures. During an evaluation phase, 33/34 blood cultures (negative = 13; vanA = 1; and vanB = 19) were correctly identified. In the validation phase 205/211 blood cultures were correctly identified (negative, n = 160; vanA, n = 2; vanB, n = 43). Sensitivity and specificity calculated from valid tests was 100% (95% CI: 90.2-100%) and 100% (95% CI: 97.1-100%), respectively. The error rate was 2.8%. The Xpert vanA/vanB cartridge is a reliable tool in the rapid molecular identification of the vanA and vanB determinant from positive blood cultures with moderate inhibition rates (2.8%) and high PPV and NPV. However, additional methods for species identification are required.