Evaluation of expert rules for carbapenemase class identification in <i>Enterobacterales</i> isolates using the VITEK2 susceptibility testing platform

Carbapenem-resistant bacteria are a major public health concern due to their ability to spread in healthcare settings and cause infections that are difficult to treat with first-line antibiotics. Identification of the enzyme classes responsible for carbapenem resistance plays a crucial role in ensuring that patients receive effective treatments and controlling the spread of these bacteria. In this study, we evaluated the performance of a new approach to identify carbapenemase enzymes without additional hands-on testing. The method is designed for use with the VITEK2 automated susceptibility testing platform to recognize patterns of resistance to antibiotics and make predictions about the possible resistance mechanisms.