Rapid and accurate diagnosis and subtyping of bacterial carbapenemases are urgently needed due to the increasing prevalence of carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections. By mixing bacteria with a fluorescent probe, β-LEAF (β-lactamase enzyme activated fluorophore), together with three β-lactamase inhibitors ( imipenem for noncarbapenemase β-lactamases, clavulanic acid for type A carbapenemases, and EDTA for type B carbapenemase), we developed a FIBA (Fluorescence Identification of β-Lactamase Activity) platform, which can generate a 95% - 100% sensitivity and specificity for carbapenemase diagnosis and classification within 10 minutes by a single mixing step. FIBA could significantly aid the control and treatment of carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections.
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