Carbapenamase-Producing Enterobacterales (CPE) screen
Microbiology
Notes
The information given here is intended for use by healthcare professionals. Please see Lab Tests Online-UK for more general advice, links and background.
Carbapenamase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are resistant not only to carbapenems (considered “last resort” antibiotics) but also all penicillin-type antibiotics and cephalosporins. CPE also commonly carry resistance genes to other groups of non-beta-lactam antibiotics, making them highly multiply resistant and extremely difficult to treat with antibiotics when patients have clinical infections caused by these bacteria.
Screening is undertaken according to risk assessment on admission. See CPE: Prevent. Detect. Control (Trust users only)
See Infection Control policy "Multi-drug resistant bacteria (excluding MRSA): management of infected or colonised patients"
The following samples are required:
- Rectal swab (or stool sample if a rectal swab is not possible)
- Wounds and entry sites
- Urine if catheterised
Sample requirements
- Rectal swab and any wounds or entry sites
- There should be visible faecal material on a rectal swab
- Standard charcoal transport swab
- Place swab in transport medium
Stool samples may be used in place of a rectal swab
Urine samples may be sent in either red or white capped 30 mL sterile universal containers
Required information
- Risk factors
- Recent relevant hospital admissions
- Relevant overseas health care
- Known previous colonisation/infection with CPE
- Contact with colonised patients
Storage/transport
Store and transport at room temperature
Turnaround time
2-4 days for provisional result, Reference laboratory confirmation will take longer if required.