Evaluation of the NucliSENS EasyQ KPC Assay for Detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae

The NucliSENS EasyQ KPC assay (bioMerieux SA, Marcy l'Etoile, France) was compared with a routinely used phenotypic method for detection of Enterobacteriaceae producing Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)-type carbapenemases, using 806 stool samples and rectal swabs. Compared with the phenotypic method, the EasyQ KPC assay had a sensitivity and specificity of 93.3% and 99.0%, respectively, in this setting, with diverse KPC producers not limited to ST258 Klebsiella pneumoniae.