CerTest Resist CARBAS card test is a rapid immunochromatographic assay designed for the qualitative detection and differentiation of the five most prevalent carbapenemases (KPC, OXA-48-like, VIM, IMP and NDM) in bacterial isolates from any biological specimen.

The test consists of a single-use cassette containing six coloured lines: one green control line and five red test lines corresponding to the different carbapenemase families.

CerTest Resist CARBAS provides a simple, rapid and highly sensitive method for the presumptive identification of carbapenemase-producing bacteria, supporting early detection of carbapenem resistance and helping guide infection control and antimicrobial treatment decisions.

Carbapenemases are enzymes produced by certain Gram-negative bacteria that confer resistance to carbapenems, a class of antibiotics commonly used as last-line treatment for severe bacterial infections.

Carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPO) have emerged as a major global health concern due to their rapid dissemination and their association with multidrug-resistant infections, particularly in healthcare settings.

The most prevalent carbapenemases include KPC, OXA-48-like, NDM, VIM and IMP, which are frequently found in Enterobacterales and other clinically relevant Gram-negative pathogens. Rapid detection of these enzymes is essential to support infection control measures and appropriate antimicrobial therapy.

Rapid identification of carbapenemase-producing bacteria plays a key role in antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and supports effective patient management in routine microbiology laboratories.