—Insights from the ACORN-HAI Study and Macro & Micro-Test’s Carbapenem Resistance Detection Solutions
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) remains a major challenge in healthcare, particularly for patients with severe hospital-acquired infections. When commonly used antibiotics become less effective, identifying relevant pathogens and resistance markers becomes increasingly important in supporting clinical assessment and antimicrobial stewardship.
A multicentre, prospective cohort study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases in August 2026, Severe health-care-associated infections and antimicrobial resistance in an Asian Surveillance Network (ACORN-HAI): a multicentre, prospective cohort study, provides important insights into the burden of resistant infections across Asia.
What Does the ACORN-HAI Study Reveal?
The study analysed 9,642 infection episodes across 41 hospitals in 19 Asian countries and regions, including bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).
Its findings highlight the seriousness of AMR-associated infections:
73.7% of the analysed infection episodes were associated with AMR bacteria.
51.3% was the crude 28-day mortality rate for infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. (CRA).
48.4% was the crude 28-day mortality rate for infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE).
The study also estimated AMR-attributable mortality at 19.4% for CRA and 16.2% for CRE, making these two pathogen groups particularly concerning in the study population.
These findings highlight the substantial clinical burden associated with carbapenem-resistant infections. They also reinforce the importance of effective surveillance, timely laboratory investigation and appropriate antimicrobial management.
Why Timely and Accurate Detection Matters
For patients with severe hospital-acquired infections, timely and accurate laboratory results can make an important difference in clinical decision-making. Clinicians need to identify likely pathogens and relevant resistance markers as quickly as possible to support appropriate antimicrobial selection, while reliable detection is essential to avoid overlooking clinically significant resistance mechanisms.
This is particularly important when carbapenem-resistant organisms are suspected. Detecting key carbapenemase genes—including KPC, NDM, OXA-48, VIM and IMP—can help characterize resistance mechanisms, while OXA-23 is an important target associated with carbapenem resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii.
Different clinical and laboratory scenarios call for different testing approaches. The key is to balance analytical accuracy, turnaround time, specimen requirements and workflow efficiency.
A complementary testing strategy can help address these needs:
Rapid carbapenemase tests: Deliver results in approximately 15 minutes after culture, enabling rapid screening for selected carbapenemase markers in cultured bacterial samples.
Fluorescence PCR: Provides targeted molecular detection of resistance genes and, in multiplex assays, selected bacterial pathogens, supporting more specific investigation of suspected resistant infections.
Integrated Sample-to-Answer testing: On compatible platforms and with validated assays, integrates key testing steps into a streamlined workflow, helping simplify laboratory operations and reduce hands-on procedures.
No single method fits every clinical scenario. Test selection should be guided by the intended use, specimen type, required turnaround time and validated performance characteristics. Results should be interpreted alongside the patient’s clinical presentation, microbiological findings and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, as appropriate.
Together, these approaches provide laboratories with complementary options to support timely, targeted investigation of carbapenem resistance.
Macro & Micro-Test AMR Detection Solutions
Macro & Micro-Test offers both colloidal gold rapid tests and fluorescence PCR assays for the detection of selected carbapenemase targets, resistance genes and clinically important Gram-negative bacteria.
1. Rapid Tests | Colloidal Gold
Designed for selected carbapenemase targets, these tests provide results in approximately 15 minutes when used with bacterial samples obtained after culture.
Carbapenemase Detection Kit (Colloidal Gold)
Cat. No. HWTS-OT085 | Targets: KPC, NDM, OXA48, VIM, IMP | CE
OXA23 Carbapenemase Detection Kit (Colloidal Gold)
Cat. No. HWTS-OT118 | Target: OXA-23 | CE
These assays offer a rapid approach to detecting selected carbapenemase markers in cultured bacterial samples, supporting resistance investigation within appropriate laboratory workflows.
2. Molecular Tests | Fluorescence PCR
For laboratories requiring molecular detection of resistance genes or combined pathogen and resistance-marker analysis, Macro & Micro-Test provides the following options.
Carbapenem Resistance Gene Detection Kit (Fluorescence PCR)
Cat. No. HWTS-OT045 | Targets: KPC, NDM, OXA-48, OXA-23, VIM, IMP | CE-IVDR
Compatible with the AIO800 Sample-to-Answer platform, this assay supports testing of pure colonies, sputum and rectal swabs according to the applicable assay workflow. Direct testing of specified clinical specimens can help avoid a separate culture step before molecular testing, where permitted by the product instructions.
Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Drug Resistance Genes Multiplex Detection Kit (Fluorescence PCR)
Cat. No. HWTS-RT109 | Resistance gene targets: KPC, NDM, OXA48, IMP | Specimen: human sputum | CE
This multiplex assay combines the detection of three clinically important Gram-negative bacterial species—K. pneumoniae, A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa—with selected carbapenem resistance gene targets. It offers a targeted molecular testing option for relevant respiratory specimen workflows.
Supporting Better-Informed AMR Management
The ACORN-HAI study highlights the serious burden of antimicrobial-resistant bloodstream infections and ventilator-associated pneumonia across Asia, particularly infections involving CRA and CRE.
Addressing this challenge requires coordinated surveillance, effective infection prevention, appropriate antimicrobial stewardship and timely laboratory investigation.
By offering both rapid colloidal gold tests and fluorescence PCR assays, Macro & Micro-Test provides complementary detection options for laboratories investigating selected carbapenemase markers, resistance genes and clinically important Gram-negative pathogens.
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Post time: Oct-21-2026