LENEXA, Kansas, (July 29, 2010) – Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., the world leader in serving science, announced today that it received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for Spectra™ VRE, a test designed to screen for vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE). Spectra VRE is the first chromogenic media for the 24-hour detection of VRE colonization with rectal swabs and stool specimens. Spectra VRE is manufactured, distributed, and sold by Remel, a product brand of Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) are the third leading cause of healthcare associated infections resulting in higher morbidity, mortality, and hospital costs.1, 2 VRE colonization can progress to infection, especially for people with certain risk factors.3 Proactive VRE screening is an important part of an infection control and prevention program to reduce the spread within the hospital. The potential exists for VRE to transfer genetic vancomycin resistance to other gram-positive organisms, especially methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, creating vancomycin-resistant S. aureus (VRSA). To date, eleven cases of VRSA have been reported in the U.S., and it remains a serious public health concern due to limited treatment options.4
“Early detection of patients colonized with VRE is critical for the identification and isolation of patients colonized with multi-drug resistant organisms to minimize transmission in the healthcare setting. Detection and isolation of patients colonized with VRE can help clinicians provide appropriate patient management and maintain a healthier healing environment,” said Mary Jo Deal, vice president and general manager, Microbiology Americas, Thermo Fisher Scientific. “Thermo Fisher Scientific has developed Spectra VRE to offer healthcare institutions a high performing, economical solution that easily integrates into routine microbiology laboratory workflows, enabling our customers to take a more proactive approach to patient care and safety.”
Spectra VRE is a ready-to-use test medium that can differentiate between vancomycin-resistantE. faecalis and E. faecium from stool and rectal swab specimens within 24 hours with no confirmatory testing required. To learn more about Spectra VRE or other Remel products, please visit http://www.remel.com/hai.
About Thermo Fisher Scientific
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE: TMO) is the world leader in serving science. Our mission is to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner and safer. With revenues of more than $10 billion, we have approximately 35,000 employees and serve customers within pharmaceutical and biotech companies, hospitals and clinical diagnostic labs, universities, research institutions and government agencies, as well as in environmental and process control industries. We create value for our key stakeholders through two premier brands, Thermo Scientific and Fisher Scientific, which offer a unique combination of continuous technology development and the most convenient purchasing options. Our products and services help accelerate the pace of scientific discovery, and solve analytical challenges ranging from complex research to routine testing to field applications. Visit www.thermofisher.com.
1. Hidron, A.L. et. al. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology. 2008;29:996-1011. 2. Carmeli, Y. et. al. Archives of Internal Medicine. Volume 162; October 28, 2002. 3. Zirakzadeh, M.D. et. al. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 2006; 81(4):529-536. 4. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/ar_vrsa_labUpdate.html#
