Test Entry - Detail

Gram-Negative Screening Swabs


General
  Clinical Use: Acquired antibiotic resistance and the infection control implications of certain species of Gram-negative bacilli has led to the introduction of laboratory-based screening techniques to identify patients colonised with these organisms. Details regarding specific organism groups and the associated antibiotic resistance are as follows:
- Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) or Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are Gram-negative bacilli that are resistant to the Carbapenem class of antibiotics.
- Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase (ESBL) producing Enterobacterales are Gram-negative bacilli that are resistant to extended spectrum Cephalosporin antibiotics.
- Gentamicin-Resistant Enterobacterales (GRE) are Gram-negative bacilli that are resistant to the antibiotic Gentamicin.
- Multi-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Multi-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii are species of Gram-negative bacilli that acquire resistance to multiple classes of antibiotics.
- Serratia marcescens is a species of Gram-negative bacilli that has been associated with neonatal intensive care unit outbreaks. Screening is only performed at the request of a Clinical Microbiologist.
Please note: all requests for environmental screening swabs for the above organisms must be approved by a Clinical Microbiologist.
  Availability: Samples are tested routinely during the testing laboratory's hours of operation.
  Aliases/Synonyms: Carbapenemase Resistant/Producing Enterobacterales Screening,   Carbapenemase Resistant/Producing Organism Screening,   CPE Swabs; Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacterales,   CPE Swabs; Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae,   CRE/CPE Swabs,   CRO/CPO Swabs,   ESBL Swabs,   Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamase Screening,   Gentamicin Resistance Enterobacterales Screening,   GRE Swabs,   Multi-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Screening,   Multi-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Screening,   Serratia marcescens Screening,  
  Code: CXGNB
  Handling Instructions (to laboratory): Send sample ambient.
  Hyperlink:
  Reference Interval:
Not Applicable


Collection Requirements
  Container: Sterile Container (STERILE),  
  Sample Type: Most commonly Rectal Swab - Confirm with Local Infection Control Staff
  Minimum Collection Volume: N/A
  Collection Instructions:


Processing Requirements
  Alternate Containers:
  Processing Instructions:
  Minimum Assay Volume: N/A
  Stability:
  Transport Instructions (to testing laboratory): Send sample ambient.


Testing Locations
  Performed at:
Section Department Site Contact Phone
Bacteriology Microbiology Fiona Stanley Hospital 6152 8012
Bacteriology Microbiology QEII Medical Centre 6383 4505


Last Updated : 17-02-2026 13:13