An improved method for rapid detection and characterization of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales directly from positive blood cultures: dBLIMplus

.IMPORTANCEThe significance of this study lies in the development and validation of a novel phenotypic method, dBLIMplus, for the rapid detection of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales directly from positive blood culture bottles. Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales are associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. Rapid and accurate identification is critical for timely infection control and effective treatment decisions. Given its ability to detect carbapenemase producers directly from positive blood culture bottles using only combination disks, dBLIMplus is presented as a viable alternative to molecular techniques, which are generally more costly. With 100% sensitivity and specificity in detecting carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales, dBLIMplus demonstrates strong potential for routine clinical use. Its ability to deliver accurate results as early as 6 h makes it a valuable tool for microbiology laboratories, especially in resource-limited settings.