Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) – Pulse Field Gel Electrophoresis

Consistent with O. Reg. 671/92 of the French Language Services Act, laboratory testing information on this page is only available in English because it is scientific or technical in nature and is for use only by qualified health care providers and not by members of the public.

Specimen Collection and Handling

Specimen Requirements

Test Requested Required Requisition(s) Specimen Type Minimum Volume Collection Kit

VRE PFGE Typing1,2

Pure bacterial culture of pathogen4 (VRE) in appropriate agar

N/A

Submission and Collection Notes

1

VRE PFGE typing is performed for outbreak investigations only.

2

Molecular typing for other special circumstances must be approved by a PHOL microbiologist; contact PHOL customer service at 416-235-6556 or 1-877-604-4567.

3

Include the outbreak number and index case if applicable on the requisition.

4

Include on the requisition the specimen type from which the pathogen is isolated.

Storage and Transport

Label the specimen container with the patient’s full name, date of collection and one other unique identifier such as the patient’s date of birth or Health Card Number. Failure to provide this information may result in rejection or testing delay.

Requisitions and Kit Ordering

Test Frequency and Turnaround Time (TAT)

The VRE PFGE test is performed daily Monday to Friday.

Turnaround time is up to 13 days from receipt by the PHO laboratory.

Test Methods

All VRE submissions are confirmed as such prior to PFGE testing.

Reporting

Results are reported to the ordering physician or health care provider as indicated on the requisition.

References

LAB-SD-125, Reference Bacteriology and Antimicrobial Susceptibility: New Requisition and Testing Algorithm for Improved Test Utilization

Data and Analysis

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Contact Laboratory Customer Service

Laboratory Services

customerservicecentre@oahpp.ca

Updated 25 Sep 2019