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2026 IFCC C-MDID Survey on Molecular Diagnostics of Carbapenemase-Producing Gram-Negative Bacteria

Dear colleague,
We invite you to take part in a short international survey focusing on the molecular detection of carbapenemase-producing Gram-negative bacteria.
The aim is to assess current diagnostic practices, methods, and quality assurance procedures used in laboratories worldwide. The survey contains 23 questions and takes about 10 minutes to complete.
Please note: The focus is specifically on molecular methods (e.g., PCR, multiplex panels, NGS), not on phenotypic susceptibility testing.
Your input is highly valuable and will contribute to a better understanding of global diagnostic strategies.
Thank you very much for your participation!
1.How would you describe your laboratory?
2.In which country is your laboratory located?
3.Does your laboratory perform molecular testing of carbapenemases?
4.Is molecular testing of carbapenemases used for (check all that apply):
5.Does your laboratory use commercial kits or non-commercial/lab developed tests (LDT) for molecular diagnosis of carbapenemases?
6.How many molecular tests for carbapenemase detection does your lab perform per week?
7.What kind of device do you use for molecular testing?
8.In which types of clinical specimens do you perform molecular testing for carbapenemase genes? (Select all that apply)
9.Which carbapenemase genes can your tests detect? (Select all that apply)
10.Do you perform assays for confirmation?
Yes.
No.
We confirm the molecular diagnostic assay with the phenotypic assay.
We confirm the phenotypic assay with molecular diagnostic assays.
11.Background: An external quality assessment (EQA) or proficiency testing (PT) is an interlaboratory comparison that may extend throughout all phases of a testing cycle including interpretation of results.
Do you participate in EQA/PT for the detection of carbapenemases?

12.Which PT/EQA provider do you use for the molecular diagnosis of carbapenemases? You may select more than one answer.
13.Background: When Profiency Testing materials are not avaliable, alternative assessment procedures (AAP) provide an alternative route for verifying the acceptability of test performance (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32383687/). The next questions are addressing how this procedure is done in your lab.

Do you conduct alternative assessment procedures (AAP) in your lab?
14.Please describe your strategy of AAP (strategy and frequency).
15.Do you use reference strains for ensuring test accuracy (e.g., WHO/EDQM/CDC/ATCC strains)?
16.Do you submit isolates or molecular test results to a national reference center for validation or confirmation?
17.Are positive molecular results for carbapenemase genes reported to a national surveillance or notification system?
18.How are positive carbapenemase results reported and handled?
19.What is your average turnaround time (TAT) for carbapenemase molecular results (from sample arrival to result)?
<4 hours
4–24 hours
24–48 hours
>48 hours
N/A
Screening
Diagnostics
With regard to blood culture diagnostics, what turnaround time is achieved, from a positive blood culture result until MDX is completed?
20.When is molecular diagnostics for carbapenemase genes available in your laboratory (emergency/on-call diagnostics)?
24/7
During regular working hours and extended hours (e.g., weekdays + evenings)
Only during regular working hours
Testing is outsourced
N/A
Screening
Diagnostics
21.How often do you observe discrepancies between molecular and phenotypic carbapenem resistance testing?
22.How do you manage discrepancies between molecular and phenotypic carbapenem resistance testing?
23.What are the main challenges you face in molecular detection of carbapenemases in your setting?
24.Do you have suggestions, recommendations or points of criticism? Please let us know.
Current Progress,
0 of 24 answered