Test Price
110 AED✅ Home Collection Available
ESBL (Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase) Culture Screening Test in UAE | 110 AED | DHA Licensed
Executive Summary & Core Metrics
This ESBL culture screening test detects bacteria producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase enzymes, providing 99.9% diagnostic sensitivity through ISO 9001:2015 accredited processing. The test uses chromogenic selective agar with CLSI M100 confirmatory testing to identify phenotypic resistance patterns critical for guiding targeted antibiotic therapy. Results are available within 24 hours of sample receipt, supported by telephonic post-test clinical counselling from a DHA-licensed physician. VIP mobile phlebotomy and temperature-controlled cold-chain home collection are available daily from 8 AM to 11 PM for eligible patients. Direct billing verification is available via WhatsApp at +971 54 548 8731 for fast insurance pre-approval.
- Accuracy Guarantee: 99.9% Diagnostic Sensitivity via ISO 9001:2015 Accredited Processing.
- Premium Logistics: VIP Mobile Phlebotomy & Temperature-Controlled Cold-Chain Home Collection daily from 8 AM to 11 PM.
- Clinical Guidance: Telephonic Post-Test Clinical Counselling for result interpretation by DHA-licensed specialists.
- Insurance: Direct Billing Verification via WhatsApp +971 54 548 8731.
Test Overview & Methodology
ESBL culture screening detects bacteria that produce extended spectrum beta-lactamase, an enzyme conferring resistance to most beta-lactam antibiotics including penicillins and cephalosporins. This test is critical for guiding targeted therapy and preventing the spread of multidrug-resistant infections in both community and healthcare settings. The culture-based method provides phenotypic confirmation of resistance, enabling clinicians to make informed antibiotic stewardship decisions.
| Feature | Our Test – Chromogenic Culture | Alternative – Automated PCR |
|---|---|---|
| Precision | 99.9% sensitivity, phenotypic confirmation | High specificity but limited to known gene targets |
| Method | Chromogenic selective agar; isolates verified per CLSI M100 | Multiplex real-time PCR for CTX-M, TEM, SHV genes |
| Turnaround | Next-day report after 24h incubation | Same-day molecular result (4–6 hours) |
| Clinical Utility | Phenotypic resistance profile guides antibiotic selection | Genotype detection may miss novel or variant genes |
Physician Insight & Safety Protocols
“As your DHA-registered general practitioner, I want to reassure you that this culture screen provides the most reliable phenotypic evidence of ESBL carriage. However, results must always be correlated with your clinical symptoms, recent antibiotic exposure, and overall risk profile. A positive screen does not automatically indicate an active infection requiring treatment; it calls for careful antimicrobial stewardship. Our clinical team is here to guide you through every step of the interpretation.”
— Dr. Ajay Singh, General Practitioner, DHA Registration ID: 36234132
Advisory – Medication & Clinical Decision Guidance
Do not discontinue or modify prescribed antibiotic therapy without consulting your doctor. ESBL screening results are intended to support clinical judgement and antibiotic stewardship decisions; they do not replace a comprehensive medical evaluation. Always share your full medication list with the interpreting physician.
Exclusion Criteria & Clinical Red Flags
- Exclusion Criteria: Not indicated for routine screening in asymptomatic, low-risk individuals without healthcare exposure or known risk factors for multidrug-resistant organisms.
- Paediatric Considerations: Swab collection from minors must be performed with explicit parental consent and by a healthcare professional trained in paediatric specimen collection, following Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability.
- Emergency Red Flags: Seek immediate emergency care if you have fever exceeding 38.5°C, rigors, hypotension, confusion, or signs of sepsis. This outpatient screening test is not a substitute for blood cultures in acute illness.
- Sample Integrity: Specimens collected improperly or stored outside 2–8°C will be rejected. Rectal or wound swabs must arrive in Amies charcoal transport medium at 2–8°C within 24 hours of collection.
Patient FAQ & Clinical Guidance
1. How is ESBL screening different from a routine culture?
Unlike standard culture that grows any bacteria present, ESBL screening uses selective chromogenic agar to directly identify bacteria resistant to cephalosporins and penicillins. This targeted approach provides immediate phenotypic resistance information, helping doctors avoid ineffective antibiotics from the start and enabling precise antimicrobial stewardship.
2. Do I need to stop my current antibiotics before the test?
No, do not stop prescribed antibiotics without medical advice. The culture can still detect ESBL carriage even during active therapy, though prior antibiotic exposure may reduce recovery rates. Your doctor will determine the optimal timing for sample collection and the laboratory will note any ongoing antibiotics on the report for correct clinical interpretation.
3. How will I receive my results and who will explain them?
You will receive a comprehensive digital report via secure WhatsApp or email within 24 hours of sample collection. The report includes organism identification, ESBL status, and an antibiotic susceptibility profile. Following report delivery, a DHA-licensed physician will provide a free telephonic guidance session to clarify what the result means for your health, transmission risk, and next steps in coordination with your primary doctor.
4. Is the sample collection painful and how is it performed?
Sample collection involves a gentle swab of the rectal area or wound site performed by our trained nursing staff. The procedure is quick, minimally uncomfortable, and completed in under one minute. Sterile technique is used throughout to ensure specimen integrity and patient comfort.
5. How long until the result is ready?
If your sample reaches the laboratory before 11 AM, the culture result is available the following day. The full report, including ESBL confirmation and antibiotic susceptibility testing, is typically issued within 24 to 36 hours from sample receipt. You will be notified immediately once the report is ready.
6. Is this test approved by Dubai Health Authority?
Yes, this test is performed at a DHA-licensed facility (License No. 1143) and follows all regulatory guidelines for diagnostic microbiology. The laboratory holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and operates in full compliance with UAE healthcare data protection and quality standards.
UAE Regulatory & Data Privacy Adherence
This diagnostic service operates in full compliance with UAE federal regulations governing healthcare data privacy, medical liability, and health information technology. Patient data is handled according to Federal Decree-Law No. 45 of 2021 on Personal Data Protection (PDPL) and Federal Law No. 2 of 2019 Concerning the Use of Information and Communication Technology in Health Fields. Clinical testing and patient consent procedures adhere to Federal Decree-Law No. 4 of 2016 on Medical Liability. The laboratory is ISO 9001:2015 certified (INT/EGQ/2509DA/3139) and all results are reported through secure, encrypted digital channels to ensure patient confidentiality.
Clinical & Logistical Metadata
| Test Name | ESBL (Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase) Culture Screening |
| Price (AED) | 110 AED |
| Turnaround Time | 24–36 hours from sample receipt (next day if collected before 11 AM) |
| Sample Type / Matrix | Rectal swab or wound swab in Amies charcoal transport medium (2–8°C) |
| Methodology Used | Chromogenic selective agar culture with CLSI M100 phenotypic confirmatory testing |
| ICD-10-CM Code | Z22.3 (Carrier of other specified infectious diseases), Z16.12 (Resistance to cephalosporins) |
| LOINC Code | 5018-4 (Bacteria identified in Specimen by Culture) |
| DHA Facility License & Laboratory Address | DHA Facility License No. 1143 | Premises 105, Floor 1, Building 33, Dubai Healthcare City, Dubai, UAE | DNA Labs UAE |
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