Comparison of four chromogenic culture media for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae

Four chromogenic media for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) and two selective broths were challenged with a collection of Enterobacteriaceae with well-defined β-lactamases and 100 stool samples. With low inocula of 130 isolates of CPE, the sensitivities of the four chromogenic media were as follows: Brilliance CRE, 78%; chromID Carba, 91%; chromID ESBL, 96%; and Colorex KPC, 56%. The corresponding sensitivities of Trypticase soy broth plus ertapenem or meropenem were 78% and 47%, respectively.