The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) is proud to be 1 of 7 Regional Laboratories for the Antibiotic Resistance (AR) Laboratory Network .
The AR Lab Network was established in 2016 to help identify, respond to, and prevent antibiotic resistance in the United States. As a Regional Lab, the WSLH performs comprehensive testing on antimicrobial resistant organisms for the state of Wisconsin, as well as select testing for other states in the Midwest Region of the AR Lab Network: Kentucky, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio.
CDC’s AR Lab Network
Wisconsin Division of Public Health – Reportable MDROs
AR Lab Network Midwest Report 2023
Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales
Specimen collection and submission instructions
Isolates submitted on agar slants
Include copy of susceptibility results performed in your laboratory
Pre-approval required?
No
Isolates accepted
Any Enterobacterales species that tested resistant to one or more carbapenems (ertapenem, doripenem, meropenem or imipenem)
WSLH Testing Methodology
Species identification using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Antibiotic susceptibility testing via broth microdilution
Modified Carbapenemase Inactivation Method (mCIM) to detect presence of carbapenemases
Identification of select resistance mechanisms when carbapenemases are detected by mCIM
Turnaround Time
1 week
Contact
Ann Valley, 608-224-4246
Notifiable Conditions Information
Carbapenemase producing Enterobacterales is a reportable condition in Wisconsin.
Please report any confirmed cases to the Local Health Department and the Wisconsin HAI Program at 608-267-7711 or DHSWIHAIPreventionProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales colonization screening
Specimen collection and submission instructions
Collection Kits will be provided by WSLH when testing is approved
Rectal swabs must be tested within 5 days of collection
Axilla/groin swabs should be shipped on ice and tested within 4 days for axilla/groin swabs
Tracheostomy swabs from ventilated patients. Specimens should be shipped on ice and tested within 4 days of collection
Pre-approval required?
Yes, prior approval needed from state HAI program
Specimens accepted
Rectal swabs from provided collection kits
Axilla/groin swabs from provided collection kits
WSLH Testing Methodology
CARBA-R PCR and/or culture test for presence of select carbapenemases (KPC, NDM, VIM, OXA, IMP)
Turnaround Time
2 days for CARBA-R, 5 days for culture
Contact
If you would like to conduct a screening for CP-CRE, please contact the Wisconsin HAI Program at 608-267-7711 or DHSWIHAIPreventionProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii Colonization Screening (CRAB)
Specimen collection and submission instructions
Collection Kits will be provided by WSLH when testing is approved
Rectal swabs must be tested within 5 days of collection
Axilla/groin swabs should be shipped on ice and tested within 4 days of collection
Tracheostomy swabs from ventilated patients. Specimens should be shipped on ice and tested within 4 days of collection
Pre-approval required?
Yes, prior approval needed from state HAI program
WSLH Testing Methodology
Culture with PCR to determine the presence of select resistance mechanisms
Turnaround Time
Up to 7 days
Contact
If you would like to conduct a screening for CRAB, contact the Wisconsin HAI program at DHSWIHAIPreventionProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov or 608-267-7711
Carbapenem-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Specimen collection and submission instructions
Isolates submitted on agar slants
Include copy of susceptibility results performed in your laboratory
Pre-approval required?
No
Isolates accepted
Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates that are resistant to a carbapenem (doripenem, imipenem, meropenem) and non-susceptible to cefepime and/or ceftazadime
NOTE: Other species may be accepted on a case by case basis
WSLH Testing Methodology
Species identification using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Antibiotic susceptibility testing via broth microdilution
Modified Carbapenemase Inactivation Method (mCIM) to detect presence of carbapenemases
PCR tests for presence of select resistance mechanisms when carbapenemases are detected by mCIM
Turnaround Time
1 week
Contact
Ann Valley, 608-224-4246
Candida species confirmation/speciation and antifungal susceptibility testing
Specimen collection and submission instructions
Isolates submitted on agar slants
Isolates may be stored for 2-3 weeks for batch submission
Pre-approval required?
Not required
Isolates accepted
Any confirmed or suspected Candida auris isolates (See what species auris is commonly misidentified as )
Candida glabrata from normally sterile sites (including serial glabrata isolates from patients receiving antifungal treatment
Multi-drug resistant Candida isolates
Unusual Candida species (any species other than albicans, C. parapsilosis, C. dubliniensis, C. lusitaniae, C. tropicalis, C. krusei)
Any Candida species that was unable to be identified after a validated method was attempted
WSLH Testing Methodology
Species identification using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Antifungal susceptibility testing via broth microdilution (azoles and echinocandins)
Amphotericin B susceptibility testing using Etest strips
Testing performed for surveillance. MIC results provided upon request.
Turnaround Time
1 week for species identification
Contact
Ann Valley, 608-224-4246
Notifiable Conditions Information
Candida auris is a reportable condition in Wisconsin.
Please report any confirmed cases to the Local Health Department and the Wisconsin HAI Program at 608-266-0915 or 608-267-7711
Other Information
AR Lab Network Candida fact sheet
Candida auris screening/colonization
Specimen collection and submission instructions
Collection kits provided by WSLH when testing is approved
Axilla/groin swabs must be tested within 7 days of collection
Pre-approval required?
Yes, prior approval needed with state HAI program.
Specimen type
Collect from patient’s axilla and/or groin
WSLH Testing Methodology
PCR
Selective enrichment broth to isolate Candida auris
Species identification using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Turnaround Time
2 days for PCR, Up to 10 days for culture
Contact
If you would like to conduct a screening for Candida auris, please contact Wisconsin HAI Program at 608-267-7711 or DHSWIHAIPreventionProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii
Specimen collection and submission instructions
Isolates submitted on agar slants
Include copy of susceptibility results performed in your laboratory
Pre-approval required?
Not required
Isolates Accepted
Acinetobacter baumannii isolates resistant to any carbapenem (doripenem, imipenem, meropenem)
WSLH Testing Methodology
Species identification using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry
Antibiotic susceptibility testing via broth microdilution
PCR tests for presence of carbapenemases
Turnaround Time
1 week
Contact
Ann Valley, 608-224-4246
Notifiable Conditions Information
Carbapenemase producing Acinetobacter baumannii is a reportable condition in Wisconsin.
Please report any confirmed cases to the Local Health Department and the Wisconsin HAI Program at 608-267-7711 or DHSWIHAIPreventionProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov
Instructions for Colonization Swab Collection
Shipping to the WSLH
WSLH Shipping Address:
2601 Agriculture Drive
Madison, WI 53718
Customer Service Phone Number: 1-800-862-1013
Contact information for isolate requisition forms: 1-800-862-1088
Regulations for Shipping Biological Specimens
FedEx Shipping Explainer
VIDEO
Other Resources
Containing Unusual Resistance – CDC Vital Signs, April 2018
CDC’s AR Lab Network
Contact Information for any Questions
Ann Valley, AR Lab Network Coordinator for WSLH
608-224-4245
ann.valley@slh.wisc.edu
Megan Lasure, AR Lab Network Epidemiologist
608-266-0915
megan.lasure@wi.gov