| A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z # |
Screen for VRE by Culture
MessageScreen by the culture method for Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus spp.
Test Code
C VRE
Preferred Specimen
Stool placed in Para-Pak C&S vial (ORANGE LID)- preferred
Rectal swab (using eSwab or routine culture swabs)- preferred
Raw stool received in lab <2 hours after collection- NOT preferred, but acceptable
Urine clean catch, midstream, mini-cath, single catheter, suprapubic, nephrostomy, cytoscopic, foley catheter or peds bag. SUBMIT 2-5mL in a sterile screw-capped container OR full 6mL urine collection kit (gray top vacutainer).
Rectal swab (using eSwab or routine culture swabs)- preferred
Raw stool received in lab <2 hours after collection- NOT preferred, but acceptable
Urine clean catch, midstream, mini-cath, single catheter, suprapubic, nephrostomy, cytoscopic, foley catheter or peds bag. SUBMIT 2-5mL in a sterile screw-capped container OR full 6mL urine collection kit (gray top vacutainer).
Minimum Volume
For Urine Specimens: 2mL
Other Acceptable Specimens
Other sources may be acceptable with prior approval by Epidemiology Department. Call Microbiology lab for prior approval.
Instructions
All specimens should be sent ambient/ room temperature.
For Stool or Swabs: Send to the Lab within 2 hours of collection.
For Stool or Swabs: Send to the Lab within 2 hours of collection.
Transport Container
Para Pak - Stools
Eswab - rectal swab
Sterile container - Stool
Eswab - rectal swab
Sterile container - Stool
Transport Temperature
Ambient/ Room Temperature
Specimen Stability
Unpreserved/ raw stool is stable for 2 hours after collection. If unpreserved/ raw stool is received in the lab after 2 hours, the specimen will be rejected and the test cancelled.
Preserved stool (in a Para-Pak C&S container) is stable for 96 horus after collection. If preserved stool is received in the lab after 96 hours, the specimen will be rejected and the test cancelled.
Eswabs are stable for up to 48 hours.
Any stool specimens sent refrigerated or frozen will be rejected and the test cancelled.
Preserved stool (in a Para-Pak C&S container) is stable for 96 horus after collection. If preserved stool is received in the lab after 96 hours, the specimen will be rejected and the test cancelled.
Eswabs are stable for up to 48 hours.
Any stool specimens sent refrigerated or frozen will be rejected and the test cancelled.
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Unacceptable specimens:
Diapers
Stool in O&P preservative/ total fix vials
Stool or rectal swabs in VTM
Dried out stool or swabs
Raw stool received in laboratory >2 hours after collection
Samples from 12-24 hour urine collections
Urine from a foley catheter drainage bag
When <2mL of urine has been submitted
Diapers
Stool in O&P preservative/ total fix vials
Stool or rectal swabs in VTM
Dried out stool or swabs
Raw stool received in laboratory >2 hours after collection
Samples from 12-24 hour urine collections
Urine from a foley catheter drainage bag
When <2mL of urine has been submitted
Clinical Significance
| Clinical Significance: It is important to identifiy VRE to species level because knowledge of the type of resistance is critical for infection control purposes. VanA and vanB genes are transferable and can spread from organism to organism. In contrast, vanC genes are not transferable, have been associated less commonly with serious infections, and have not been associated with outbreaks. These species are reported as vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE). Intrinsically resistant species (Enterococcus gallinarum and E. casseliflavus/E. flavescens) are not considered as VREs and are not reported. |
