Rapid detection of NDM and VIM carbapenemase encoding genes by recombinase polymerase amplification and lateral flow–based detection

Carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs) pose a serious clinical threat and rapid detection tools are essential to aid in patient management. We developed rapid and simple molecular tests to detect bla NDM-type and bla VIM-type carbapenemase genes using recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) combined with a lateral flow detection. The tests could provide results in approximately 15 min when using DNA extracts, with limits of detection of 9.2 copies/μl for the bla NDM-type assay and 7.5 copies/μl for bla VIM-type assay, and successfully detected all isolates harbouring the carbapenemase encoding genes in a panel of 57 isolates. These RPA tests may be suitable for use in low-resource settings to tailor rapid implementation of infection control precautions and antibiotic stewardship.