Methods for detection and quantification of infectious carbapenem resistant

1. A method of detecting live and dead carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in a sample comprising bacteria, the method comprising:

(a) incubating the sample in the presence of a DNA intercalating dye that selectively permeates into dead bacterial cells, wherein incubating comprises contacting the DNA intercalating dye to the sample for about 10 minutes and exposing the contacted sample to light for about 15 minutes to obtain a light-treated, dye-treated sample;

(b) extracting genomic DNA (gDNA) from bacteria of the light-treated, dye-treated sample;

(c) pre-amplifying the extracted genomic DNA, wherein pre-amplifying comprises performing 8 to 12 cycles of target-specific limited amplification using at least two CRE-specific oligonucleotide primers selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, and SEQ ID NO:4 to produce a pre-amplified product;

(d) performing a real-time PCR reaction to amplify the pre-amplified product, wherein performing comprises providing the at least two CRE-specific oligonucleotide primers and a probe detectably labeled with a fluorescent dye and a quencher and configured for the real-time PCR reaction using the at least two CRE-specific oligonucleotide primers; and

(e) determining a threshold cycle value (Ct value) and comparing the Ct value to a standard obtained by quantitative real-time PCR of known quantities of DNA of live and dead bacteria to detect the presence of live and dead carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in the sample.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the DNA intercalating dye is propidium monoazide (PMA) or ethidium monoazide (EMA).

3. The method claim 1 , wherein the incubating step comprises contacting the DNA intercalating dye and an enhancer to the sample.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein extracting gDNA comprises contacting the sample to water and boiling the contacted sample at 100° C. for about 15 to about 25 minutes.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein extracting gDNA comprises contacting the sample to a cell lysis solution.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising quantifying live and dead CRE detected in the sample.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample is a medical device-derived sample.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the medical device is a duodenoscope.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the sample is obtained by swabbing the medical device; and contacting the swab to an elution buffer comprising the DNA intercalating dye.

10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sample is a patient-derived sample.

11. A method for rapidly screening for live carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in a patient sample prior to the patient being subjected to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), wherein the method comprises:

(a) contacting a sample from the patient to a DNA intercalating dye comprising adding the patient sample to a buffer comprising the dye;

(b) exposing the contacted sample to light;

(c) collecting the light exposed, contacted sample;

(d) extracting genomic DNA from any bacteria in the sample; and

(e) performing quantitative real-time PCR using a set of CRE-specific oligonucleotide primers and a probe detectably labeled with a fluorescent dye and a quencher and configured for the real-time PCR reaction using the at least two CRE-specific oligonucleotide primers, wherein the presence of live CRE is detected by comparing amplified nucleic acids to a standard curve obtaining by quantitative real-time PCR of known quantities of DNA of live CRE; wherein, if the patient sample is negative for live CRE, the duodenoscope used for the patient's ERCP is not selected for chemical sterilization, and wherein, if the patient sample is positive for live CRE, the duodenoscope is selected for chemical sterilization.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the sample is a rectal swab.