Evaluation of a new rapid immunochromatographic assay for the detection of GES-producing Gram-negative bacteria.

The article focuses on the development and evaluation of a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) prototype for the rapid detection of GES-type β-lactamases, a group of minor carbapenemases increasingly identified in Gram-negative bacteria such as Enterobacterales, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii. The GES LFIA demonstrated 100% sensitivity and specificity in detecting prevalent GES variants from bacterial cultures grown on various media, although it cannot differentiate between GES extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs) and carbapenemases. Given that most commercial assays target only the five main carbapenemases (KPC, NDM, VIM, IMP, and OXA-48), combining the GES LFIA with existing tests could enhance detection coverage, particularly in clinical settings where GES enzymes are emerging. The assay is rapid (results within 15 minutes), user-friendly, and suitable for routine clinical microbiology workflows, but further validation on additional GES variants and clinical samples is needed.