BacterChrom™ KPC Agar Plates

Ready-to-use chromogenic medium on 90mm plates for detection of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE).
Code: 01007
Packaging: 10 plates/box or as per customer requirements.
Storage Conditions: 2–8°C.
Transportation: Ambient temperature.
Shelf Life: 03 months from the date of manufacture.

INTENDED USE

BacterChrom^TM KPC Agar is a selective and differential chromogenic culture medium, intended for use in the qualitative direct detection of gastrointestinal colonization with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteria (CRE) to aid in the prevention and control of CRE in healthcare settings.
The medium can also be used as an early warning indicator for diagnostic tests of infections to signal the possible presence of multi drugresistant bacteria. BacterChrom^TM KPC Agar is not intended to diagnose CRE infection nor to guide nor monitor treatment for infections.
The packaging with semi-permeable Cellophane film helps balance the humidity of the environment during storage.

PRINCIPLES

KPC carbapenemase, initially identified in Klebsiella pneumoniae, is now found in various Gram-negative bacteria, including Serratia spp., Enterobacter spp., E. coli, Citrobacter freundii, and Salmonella enterica. These enzymes confer resistance to multiple beta-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems, which are critical in treating Gram-negative infections
BacterChrom^TM KPC Agar contains selective agents to inhibit non-carbapenemase-producing organisms and differentiate carbapenemase producers:
- Pink to red colonies: coli (indole testing recommended).
- Metallic blue colonies: Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Serratia.
- Colorless colonies: Acinetobacter spp., Salmonella spp.
- Translucent colonies with wrinkled edges: Pseudomonas spp.
This medium acts as a screening tool, with further confirmatory testing required per CLSI guidelines.

BacterChrom^TM KPC Agar can be used with the following specimens: Rectal swab and stools. Sampling and transport equipment must be used in accordance with the recommendations of their suppliers for the conservation of Carbapenem strains.
Allow plates to reach room temperature before inoculation.
Streak the specimen directly onto the agar surface for isolation.
Incubate in aerobic conditions at 35 – 37 °C for 18 – 24 hours.

RESULTS

Microoragnism	Typical colony appearance
Carbapenem E. coli	dark pink to reddish
Carbapenem KEC (Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Citrobacter)	metallic blue (+/- reddish halo)
Carbapenem Pseudomonas	translucent, (+/- natural pigmentation cream to green)
Carbapenem Acinetobacter	cream
Stenotrophomonas	colourless
Carbapenmen strains	inhibited
Yeast	inhibited
Gram-positive bacteria	mostly inhibited

BacterLab ensures the quality of each product batch by testing with ATCC reference strains.

Reference strains	Incubation conditions	Expected results
E.coli IMP NCTC 13476	Incubate for 18 – 24 hours at 35 – 37 °C	Good growth, dark pink colonies
K.pneumoniae ATCC BAA 1705		Good growth, metallic blue colonies
K.pneumoniae ATCC 13883		Inhibited
E.faecalis ATCC 29212		Inhibited