LAUSR

INTRODUCTION Prompt detection of antibiotic resistance genes in healthcare institutions is of utmost importance in tackling the spread of multi-drug resistant micro-organisms. We evaluated the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Direct Flow Chip Kit versus phenotypic screening assays for rectal and nasopharyngeal specimens upon ICU admission. METHODS A total of 184 dual specimens (92 rectal and 92 nasopharyngeal swabs) from 92 patients were collected from 11/2017 to 8/2018. All swabs were subjected to both AMR and phenotypic tests according to their origin. The degree of agreement of the two methods was assessed by the kappa coefficient. RESULTS The kappa coefficient showed perfect agreement for MRSA, ESBLs, oxacillinases and vancomycin resistance genes (1.000, p<0.01) and very good agreement for mecA-positive CoNS, KPC-carbapenemases and metallo-beta-lactamases (0.870, p<0.01; 0.864, p<0.01; and 0.912, p<0.01, respectively). CONCLUSION The AMR Direct Flow Chip Kit is a useful alternative to phenotypic testing for rapid detection of resistance markers.