[Evaluation of an immunochromatographic test for the detection of OXA-48 carbapenemase].

OBJECTIVE: Detection and differentiation of various types of carbapenemases is crucial to their control and dissemination. OXA-48 is the most common carbapenemase in Spain and in our environment. The aim of this study is the evaluation of a new immunochromatographic test OXA-48 Card letitest (Coris, BioConcept Belgium) to detect this carbapenemase from solid media.

METHODS: During the last year 151 strains of carbapenemase producing bacteria have been isolated, of which 136 were OXA-48 (126 Klebsiella pneumoniae, 1 Klebsiella oxytoca, 5 Escherichia coli, 4 Enterobacter cloacae), and 15 producing other carbapenemases . These 15 strains with other 73 carrying other resistance mechanisms (54 extended-spectrum β-lactamases producers and 19 with other mechanisms) were used as negative controls.

RESULTS: One hundred and thirty six strains carrying OXA-48 were positive with the test OXA-48 Card letitest and the 88 species used as controls were negative, resulting in a sensitivity and specificity of 100%.

CONCLUSIONS: The OXA-48 Card letitest is simple, quick, safe and cheap (approx. 6€/test) and can be used in microbiology laboratories to confirm the production of OXA-48 carbapenemase in clinical isolates.