Performance evaluation of the Streck ARM-D Kit, β-Lactamase for molecular detection of acquired β-lactamase genes

J Glob Antimicrob Resist. 2024 Dec:39:54-58. doi: 10.1016/j.jgar.2024.08.004. Epub 2024 Aug 19.

Abstract

Objectives: Despite clinical relevance, commercially available molecular tools for accurate β-lactamase detection are limited. In this study, we evaluated the performance of the ARM-D Kit, β-Lactamase, a commercially available multiplex PCR assay designed to detect nine β-lactamase genes, including the five major plasmid-mediated carbapenemases, ESBL and AmpC genes circulating in the United States.

Methods: A diverse collection of 113 Gram-negative isolates, including 42 with multiple β-lactamases genes, was selected from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) & Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Antimicrobial Resistance Isolate Bank, to represent the most frequently detected bacterial species carrying plasmid-mediated β-lactam resistance genes.

Results: Results were compared with whole genome sequence data. Of 164 β-lactamase gene targets with 49 unique variants, all were detected correctly without any cross-reactivity. The sensitivity and specificity were 100% (164/164) and 99.9% (852/853), respectively.

Conclusion: The ARM-D Kit, β-Lactamase detected a wide range of β-lactamase genotypes at a low upfront cost. The Streck assay represents a suitable, comprehensive tool for the detection of key β-lactamase resistance genes of public health concern in the United States.

Keywords: AmpC; Carbapenemase; Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (esbl); Molecular detection.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / drug effects
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / enzymology
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / genetics
  • Gram-Negative Bacteria / isolation & purification
  • Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections / microbiology
  • Humans
  • Microbial Sensitivity Tests
  • Multiplex Polymerase Chain Reaction* / methods
  • Plasmids / genetics
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • United States
  • Whole Genome Sequencing / methods
  • beta-Lactam Resistance / genetics
  • beta-Lactamases* / genetics

Substances

  • beta-Lactamases
  • Reagent Kits, Diagnostic
  • Bacterial Proteins
  • carbapenemase