Intended use
This rapid method is based on the identification of the hydrolysis of the beta-lactam ring of a carbapenem in the presence of an indicator.
Utilizing this principle ROSCO has developed 1 new Diatabs; Imipenem(x2)+Indicator(CARB). The test is performed quickly and the reading of the result is ready within 15 minutes to one hour, from the time the reaction is started.
Thus, applying this kit, in the routine screening for Carbapenemases, saves time and effort in the laboratory. This test kit can be used to determine the presence of an Carbapenemase producing organism in culture, positive blood culture and urine specimen.
Interpretation
A change of colour from red to yellow indicates a positive reaction, indicating that the test strain possesses a carbapenemase. If the reaction is positive after 15 minutes or 30 min., the test is finished (it is not necessary to incubate further), because positive reactions may fade out. Positivity within 15 min., indicates high expression levels of carbapenemase gene.
In a few cases, an orange yellowish colour or light yellow is obtained after incubation. This is a positive result too, if the negative control remains red.
Positives are those tests displaying any colour change (to yellowish) compared to the Negative control in the incubation period (max 1 hour).
If the Negative Control CARB shows a light yellow colour, report the result as uninterpretable, no matter the result of Imipenem(x2)+Indicator(CARB).
