Antibiotic Resistance Panel

Benchmark Laboratories offers a focused Antibiotic Resistance Panel capable of identifying six resistance genes related to the most common forms of antibiotic resistance in infections.

In a gram-negative infection, our panel identifies the genes associated with specific and broad spectrum Beta-lactamase resistance, as follows:

The Verone integron-encoded metallo-beta-lactamase (VIM) gene is found commonly in the gram negative, P. aeruginosa and less frequently in enterobacteracea. This gene produces a protein that hydrolyses all beta-lactams except monobactams, and evades all beta-lactam inhibitors.
The SHV gene is the most common cause of beta-lactamase resistance in the Enterobacteriaceae family (i.e. E. coli, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Shigella, etc.).

While the KPC gene is less common, as beta lactamase inhibitor found in the gram negative Enterobacteriaceae family, it is of high concern because it hydrolyzes all beta-lactams and can impart the clinically important extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) phenotype.

In a gram postive infection, our panel identifies the genes associate with methacillin and vancomycin resistance.

The mecA gene imparts methacillin resistance to Staphylococcus aureua (S. aureus), commonly known as MRSA. Early identification of a MRSA infection is critical following puncture of the skin, as Staph infections are common following both accidental (i.e. injury) and procedural (i.e. surgery) skin punctures.

The vanA and vanB genes are also important in S. aureus infection, but these genes impart resistance to the clinically important vancomycin.

OUR RESEARCH

We chose these targets because they represent the most common forms of resistance among the most frequent forms of infections. As part of our commitment to our clinicians, we have additional genes that could be brought to bear as custom panels as other forms of resistance gain prevalence in a community. To request more information on how we could address this for your practice, contact us here.