ABr Max

What is it?
The ABr Max is a comprehensive, high-throughput multiplex PCR assay designed for the detection and differentiation of an extensive array of antibiotic resistance genes across bacterial species. Building on the targeted scope of ABr Light, which focuses on the most common resistance markers, ABr Max provides broader coverage, including rare and emerging resistance mechanisms such as plasmid-mediated carbapenemases (NDM-1, KPC, OXA-48) and polymyxin resistance genes (mcr-1, mcr-2). ABr Max provides comprehensive coverage of over 20 resistance markers, including genes associated with last-resort antibiotics like colistin and carbapenems. This makes it suitable for complex clinical scenarios involving multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) or polymicrobial infections, particularly in high-risk or immunocompromised patients.

Target and Specimen Type

• Target Genes: While ABr Light focuses on critical resistance markers like blaCTX-M, mecA, and vanA/B, ABr Max expands detection to include additional resistance mechanisms, such as extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), metallo-β-lactamases (IMP, VIM, NDM), oxacillinases (OXA-23, OXA-48), and aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes (aac(6′)-Ib). This broader scope enables the detection of rare or emerging resistance genes that may otherwise go unnoticed in standard diagnostic workflows.
• Specimen Types: Both panels are validated for a variety of clinical specimens, including blood cultures, urine, and respiratory samples, but ABr Max is optimized for more complex specimens such as tissue biopsies and mixed microbial samples from polymicrobial infections.