Colonization Screening

Texas AR Laboratory uses the Cepheid GeneXpert Carba-R Assay for carbapenemase production screening. Colonization screening collection kits and shipping supplies are available for free, upon epidemiologist approval. Please read the “Important Considerations” section above and reach out to HAIOutbreak@dshs.texas.gov for approval.

• This test detects the big 5 carbapenemase gene families: blaIMP, blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, and blaOXA-48. It is important to consider the suspected mechanism of the organism you are screening for to determine if this assay meets your needs. Please note this test does not detect the blaOXA23, blaOXA24/40 and blaOXA58 that are common in CRAB.
• This test is not approved for use on pediatric patients. The FDA defines pediatric patients as individuals under 22 years old (up to but not including their 22nd birthday).
• Rectal Swab (Copan Dual Rectal Swab 900-0370)
  • Swabs should be secured with parafilm (please place over specimen label) and placed in individual specimen bags.
  • Transport at 2-8⁰C or ambient. Frozen specimens are not accepted.
  • Swab is stable up to five days after date of collection. Please collect and ship on the agreed upon screening date confirmed with your regional epidemiologist.

Submit CRO Swabs using submission form G-2E. Updated submission forms can be requested from LabInfo@dshs.texas.gov.

• Section 1. Submitter
  • Prefilled for your facility to match our records. To establish or update submitter information, please complete a Submitter ID Request Form and email to LabInfo@dshs.texas.gov or fax to (512) 776-7533.
• Section 2. Patient
  • Name on form must match specimen EXACTLY or the specimen may be rejected. Three unique identifiers (Name, DOB, Unique ID) are recommended. These identifiers must match exactly on both the form and specimen.
• Section 3. Specimen
  • Date and time of collection is required, or the specimen may be rejected.
  • Specimen Source is Rectal Swab.
• Section 4. TEST REQUEST
  • Select: Box 2 Colonization Screening ONLY.
• Select screening organism: CRAB, CRE, or CRPA
  • If an organism is not selected or written, the specimen may be rejected.
• Section 7. Collection Site
• This section is used by the AR Laboratory to contact the facility and/or local health provider directly for troubleshooting issues and providing notifications. Sometimes, the location where the specimen was collected is different from the submitter detailed in Section 1. Section 7 allows this distinction to be made so that we can quickly contact the most relevant individual.
• For example, a reference laboratory is submitting an isolate to the state laboratory that was originally collected at a skilled nursing facility. The reference lab’s info will be in Section 1 and the nursing facility’s info should be added in Section 7. See our FAQ section for more examples.

Colonization screening is performed for Candida auris using both culture and PCR based methods.

• Axilla/Groin Swab (Copan 480C ESwab)
  • Swabs should be secured in individual specimen bags.
    • Parafilm is not required. If used, please place parafilm over the specimen label. Do not place a specimen label on top of parafilm.
  • Transport at 2-8⁰C. Frozen specimens not accepted.
  • Swab is stable up to five days after date of collection. Please collect and ship on the agreed upon screening date confirmed with your regional epidemiologist.
  • Colonization screening collection kits and shipping supplies are available for free, upon epidemiologist approval. Please read “Important Considerations” above and reach out to HAIOutbreak@dshs.texas.gov for approval.

Submit Candida colonization swabs using submission form G-2E. Updated submission forms can be requested from LabInfo@dshs.texas.gov.

• Section 1. Submitter
  • Prefilled for your facility to match our records. To establish or update submitter information, please complete a Submitter ID Request Form and email to LabInfo@dshs.texas.gov or fax to (512) 776-7533.
• Section 2. Patient
  • Name on form must match specimen EXACTLY or the specimen may be rejected. Three unique identifiers (Name, DOB, Unique ID) are recommended that match exactly on the form and specimen.
  • Patient’s sex is required.
• Section 3. Specimen
  • Date and time of collection is required, or the specimen may be rejected.
• Section 4. TEST REQUEST
  • Select: Box 2 Colonization Screening ONLY.
  • Select screening organism: Candida auris
    • If an organism is not selected or written, the specimen may be rejected.
• Section 7. Collection Site
• This section is used by the AR Laboratory to contact the facility and/or local health provider directly for troubleshooting issues and providing notifications. Sometimes, the location where the specimen was collected is different from the submitter detailed in section 1. Section 7 allows this distinction to be made so that we can quickly contact the most relevant individual.
• For example, a reference laboratory is submitting an isolate to the state laboratory that was originally collected at a skilled nursing facility. The reference lab’s info will be in section 1 and the nursing facility’s info will be in section 7. See our FAQ section for more examples.