Remel Spectra™ VRE is a selective and differential chromogenic medium, containing 6 µg/ml of vancomycin, intended for use in the qualitative detection of gastrointestinal colonization with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) to aid in the prevention and control of VRE in healthcare settings. The test is performed with rectal swab and fecal specimens from patients to screen for VRE colonization. Spectra™ VRE is not intended to diagnose VRE infection or to guide or monitor treatment for infections. Subculture to non-selective media (e.g. Tryptic Soy Agar with 5% sheep blood) is needed for further identification, susceptibility testing, and epidemiological typing.
Device Story
Spectra™ VRE is a selective/differential chromogenic culture medium containing 6 µg/ml vancomycin; used in clinical laboratories to screen for gastrointestinal colonization of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis. Input: rectal swabs or fecal specimens. Principle: incorporates two chromogens targeted by phosphatase and α-galactosidase enzymes. E. faecium produces both enzymes, resulting in navy blue or pink-purple colonies; E. faecalis produces phosphatase only, resulting in light blue or blue colonies. Competing flora are suppressed by additional antibiotics. Output: visual identification of colored colonies after 24-hour incubation. Healthcare providers use results to implement infection control measures. Benefits: rapid screening (24 hours) compared to traditional methods; aids in preventing VRE spread in healthcare settings.
Clinical Evidence
Prospective study of 623 specimens (629 data points) across three US sites. Spectra™ VRE (24h incubation) compared to Bile Esculin Azide Agar with 6 µg/ml Vancomycin (48h incubation). Overall VRE recovery: 99.1% (218/220) for Spectra™ VRE vs 95.5% (210/220) for predicate. Positive percent agreement 99.1% (95% CI: 96.8-99.9%); negative percent agreement 99.8% (95% CI: 98.6-100%). Reproducibility testing at four sites showed 100% agreement over three days.
Technological Characteristics
Selective/differential chromogenic culture medium. Contains 6 µg/ml vancomycin and two chromogens (phosphatase and α-galactosidase substrates). Solid medium form factor. Manual, visual interpretation of colony color. No electronic components or software.
Indications for Use
Indicated for qualitative detection of gastrointestinal colonization with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) in patients via rectal swab or fecal specimens. Used for screening to aid in VRE prevention and control in healthcare settings. Not for diagnosing active VRE infection or monitoring treatment.
Regulatory Classification
Identification
A culture medium for antimicrobial susceptibility tests is a device intended for medical purposes that consists of any medium capable of supporting the growth of many of the bacterial pathogens that are subject to antimicrobial susceptibility tests. The medium should be free of components known to be antagonistic to the common agents for which susceptibility tests are performed in the treatment of disease.
Predicate Devices
Remel Bile Esculin Azide Agar with 6 μg/ml Vancomycin (K972359)
Submission Summary (Full Text)
{0}
1
# 510(k) SUBSTANTIAL EQUIVALENCE DETERMINATION DECISION SUMMARY
A. 510(k) Number:
K092819
B. Purpose for Submission:
To obtain substantial equivalence for a traditional 510(k) to detect vanA and vanB genes in rectal swabs and fecal specimens form patients, to screen for VRE colonization.
C. Measurand:
vanA and vanB genes of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE)
D. Type of Test:
Remel Spectra™ VRE is a selective and differential chromogenic medium recommended for use in the qualitative detection of gastrointestinal colonization of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis (VRE)
E. Applicant:
Thermo Fisher Scientific
F. Proprietary and Established Names:
Remel Spectra™ VRE Chromogenic VRE Media
G. Regulatory Information:
| Product Code | Classification | Regulation Section | Panel |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| JSO | II | 21 CFR 866.1700 | 83 - Microbiology |
{1}
H. Intended Use:
1. Intended use:
Remel Spectra™ VRE is a selective and differential chromogenic medium, containing 6 µg/ml of vancomycin, intended for use in the qualitative detection of gastrointestinal colonization with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) to aid in the prevention and control of VRE in healthcare settings. The test is performed with rectal swab and fecal specimens from patients to screen for VRE colonization. Spectra™ VRE is not intended to diagnose VRE infection or to guide or monitor treatment for infections. Subculture to non-selective media (e.g. Tryptic Soy Agar with 5% sheep blood) is needed for further identification, susceptibility testing, and epidemiological typing.
2. Indication for use:
Remel Spectra™ VRE is a selective and differential chromogenic medium, containing 6 µg/ml of vancomycin, intended for use in the qualitative detection of gastrointestinal colonization with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) to aid in the prevention and control of VRE in healthcare settings. The test is performed with rectal swab and fecal specimens from patients to screen for VRE colonization. Spectra™ VRE is not intended to diagnose VRE infection or to guide or monitor treatment for infections. Subculture to non-selective media (e.g. Tryptic Soy Agar with 5% sheep blood) is needed for further identification, susceptibility testing, and epidemiological typing.
3. Special conditions for use statement:
For prescription use only
4. Special instrument requirements:
Not applicable
I. Device Description:
Remel Spectra™ VRE is an opaque medium allowing differentiation of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium from vancomycin-resistant E. faecalis by incorporation of two chromogens that are targeted by phosphatase and α-galactosidase. The action of these enzymes on the chromogens results in a build-up of color within the colony. The presence of phosphatase enzymes in both E. faecium and E. faecalis results in a light
{2}
blue or navy blue colony. However, *E. faecium* also produces α-galactosidase, resulting in a mix of blue and pink chromophores within the bacterium producing navy blue, or pink-purple colonies, which are distinguished from the light blue or blue *E. faecalis* colonies. Additional antibiotics, in combination with vancomycin, are present to suppress the growth of competing flora including *E. gallinarum* and *E. casseliflavus*, both of which are intrinsically resistant to vancomycin, possessing the chromosomally encoded VanC resistance mechanism.
## J. Substantial Equivalence Information:
1. Predicate Device names
Remel Bile Esculin Azide Agar with 6 μg/ml Vancomycin
2. Predicate K number:
K972359
Comparison with predicate:
Device Comparison:
| Characteristic | Remel Spectra™ VRE | Remel Bile Esculin Azide with Vancomycin |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Similarities | | |
| Intended Use | Remel Spectra™ VRE is a selective and differential chromogenic medium, containing 6 μg/ml of vancomycin, recommended for use in the qualitative detection of gastrointestinal colonization of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis (VRE) to aid in the prevention and control of VRE in healthcare settings. The test is performed with rectal swabs and fecal specimens from patients to screen for VRE colonization. Spectra™ VRE is not intended to diagnose VRE infection or to guide or monitor treatment for infections. Subculture to non-selective media (e.g. Tryptic Soy Agar with 5% sheep blood) is needed for further identification, susceptibility testing, and epidemiological typing. | Remel Bile Esculin Azide Agar w/ 6 μg/ml Vancomycin is a solid medium recommended for use in qualitative procedures as a screening method for primary isolation and presumptive identification of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) from surveillance cultures. |
| Inoculation | Direct Specimen | Direct Specimen |
| Sample Type | Fecal specimens
Rectal swabs | Fecal Specimens
Urine specimens |
| Interpretation | Manual, visual | Manual, visual
Additional confirmation required |
{3}
| Test Methodology | Enzymatic | Enzymatic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Incubation | 24 hours | 24–48 hours |
| Differences | | |
| Target Enzyme | Phosphatase
α-galactosidase | Esculin hydrolysis |
| Species Differentiation | Positive – Vancomycin-resistant *E. faecium* colonization: Navy blue or purple-pink colonies.
Positive – Vancomycin-resistant *E. faecalis* colonization: Light blue to blue colonies.
Negative – No VRE colonization: No colored colonies. | Positive – Dark brown to black color around colonies and diffusing into the medium.
Negative – No blackening of the media. |
K. Standard/Guidance Document Referenced (if applicable):
Not Applicable
L. Test Principle:
Remel Spectra™ VRE is an opaque medium allowing differentiation of vancomycin-resistant *E. faecium* from vancomycin-resistant *E. faecalis* by incorporation of two chromogens that are targeted by phosphatase and α-galactosidase. The action of these enzymes on the chromogens results in a build-up of color within the colony. The presence of phosphatase enzymes in both *E. faecium* and *E. faecalis* results in a light blue or blue colony. However, *E. faecium* also produces α-galactosidase, resulting in a mix of blue and pink chromophores within the bacterium producing navy blue or pink-purple colonies, which are distinguished from the light blue or blue *E. faecalis* colonies. Additional antibiotics, in combination with vancomycin, are present to suppress the growth of competing flora including *E. gallinarum* and *E. casseliflavus*, both of which are intrinsically resistant to vancomycin, possessing the chromosomally encoded VanC resistance mechanism.
M. Performance Characteristics (if/when applicable):
1. Analytical performance:
a. Precision/Reproducibility:
Reproducibility testing was conducted at four sites on three separate days with twenty blinded strains of vancomycin-sensitive enterococci and VRE. The strains produced the expected result with Spectra™ VRE 100% of the time at 24 hours.
{4}
5
# Clinical Accuracy:
The performance of Spectra™ VRE was evaluated at three geographically diverse regions of the United States. A total of six hundred twenty three prospective rectal swabs, and fecal surveillance specimens (yielding 629 data points) were evaluated. Results from Spectra™ VRE at 24 hours incubation were compared to results obtained from traditional culture on Bile Esculin Azide Agar with 6 µg/ml Vancomycin (BEAV) after 48 hours incubation. Two hundred twenty VRE with minimal inhibitory concentration MICs to vancomycin of >256 µg/ml were recovered from six hundred twenty three specimens (191 vancomycin-resistant *E. faecium* and 29 vancomycin-resistant *E. faecalis*). The overall recovery of VRE on Spectra™ VRE at 24 hours was 99.1% (218/220) compared to recovery of 95.5% (210/220) on BEAV at 48 hours.
Suspect isolates of VRE were evaluated using Vitek®2 system and biochemical tests, and an antibiotic gradient method for determination of vancomycin MIC. For detection of VRE by colored colonies isolated on Spectra™ VRE at 24 hours compared to identification and susceptibility testing as described, the overall agreement was 99.5% (626/629).
| | VRE | Non-VRE |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Spectra™ VRE vs. identification and susceptibility | 99.1%
(218/220)
(95% CI = 89.2–98.4%) | 99.8%
(408/409)
(95% CI = 98.0–99.7%) |
Note : CI = Confidence Interval
Forty perianal swabs (eleven positive and twenty-eight negative) were tested which did not yield a statistically sound 95% lower bound confidence interval. The results are not included in the data.
{5}
Spectra™ VRE vs. Conventional Methods
| | Positive % Agreement | Negative % Agreement |
| --- | --- | --- |
| VR-E. faecium | 99.0%
(189/191)^{a}
(95% CI = 96.3–99.9%) | 99.8%
(437/438)^{b}
(95% CI = 98.7–100%) |
| VR-E. faecalis | 100%
(29/29)
(95% CI = 88.1–100%) | 100%
(600/600)
(95% CI = 99.4–100%) |
Note: CI = Confidence Interval
a One isolate showed expected results at 28 hours and one isolate showed expected results at 48 hours b One isolate developed pink colonies and was identified as Lactobacillus sp
## Challenge Studies
Spectra™ VRE was evaluated with fifty well-characterized strains of enterococci (vancomycin susceptible and resistant enterococci) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three strains of *E. faecium* with vancomycin MICs between 128-1024 µg/ml failed to grow at 24 hours. One strain of *E. faecium* with a vancomycin MIC of 16 µg/ml grew and produced pink-purple colonies.
## b. Linearity/assay reportable range:
Not Applicable
## c. Traceability, Stability, Expected values (controls, calibrators, or methods):
All lot numbers of Spectra™ VRE have been tested using the following quality control organisms and have been found to be acceptable. Quality control requirements must be performed in accordance with applicable local, state, and/or federal regulations or accreditation requirements and the laboratory’s quality control procedures. If aberrant quality control results are noted, patient results are not to be reported.
| CONTROL | INCUBATION | RESULTS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Enterococcus faecalis ATCC® 51299 | Aerobic, 24 h @ 33-37°C | Light blue colonies |
| Enterococcus faecium ATCC® 51559 | Aerobic, 24 h @ 33-37°C | Pink-purple colonies |
| Enterococcus faecalis ATCC® 29212 | Aerobic, 24 h @ 33-37°C | No growth |
## d. Detection limit:
{6}
Not Applicable
e. Analytical specificity:
**Cross Reactivity Study**
Two hundred twenty-nine (229) microorganisms representing gram-negative rods, yeast, streptococci, enterococci, staphylococci, and related organisms were evaluated with Spectra™ VRE. Six of eleven KPC-producing *Klebsiella pneumoniae* developed large blue colonies on Spectra™ VRE at 24 hours. No other cross reactivity was observed following 24 hours incubation.
The study results are reflected in the Limitation and Cross Reactivity sections of the device package insert.
**Interference Study**
The following substances were evaluated for potential interference of the chromogenic reaction of Spectra™ VRE. These substances were tested in combination with vancomycin-resistant *E. faecalis* and *E. faecium* isolates at a concentration of 50 CFU: blood, mucous, MYLANTA® Maximum Strength, Pepto-Bismol®, Imodium® A-D, Kaopectate®, Fletcher’s Castoria®, PEPCID® AC Maximum Strength, Tagamet HB 200®, Prilosec OTC®, vancomycin, metronidazole, barium sulfate, Preparation H®, petroleum jelly, glycerin, bisacodyl, witch hazel, miconazole, nonoxynol-9, KY® Jelly. Hydrocortisone acetate was not evaluated. Blood, Pepto-Bismol®, glycerin, vancomycin, miconazole, and Preparation H® may reduce the recovery of vancomycin resistant *E. faecalis* and *E. faecium* strains.
2. **Comparison studies:**
a. **Method comparison with predicate device:**
Spectra™ VRE was compared to culture on Bile Esculin Azide with 6 µg/ml Vancomycin, with subsequent identification and susceptibility testing. There was 82.7% (520/629) agreement with six hundred twenty-nine isolates. The Bile Esculin Azide with 6 µg/ml Vancomycin demonstrated 95.5% (210/220) agreement for the recovery of VRE (acquired resistance) and 75.8% (310/409) agreement for non-VRE.
b. **Matrix comparison:** Not Applicable
3. **Clinical studies:**
a. **Clinical Sensitivity:** Not Applicable
{7}
b. Clinical specificity: Not Applicable
c. Other clinical supportive data (when a. and b. are not applicable):
Not Applicable
4. Clinical cut-off:
Not Applicable
5. Expected values/Reference range:
Information collected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during 2006 and 2007 showed that enterococci caused about 1 of every 8 infections in hospitals, with roughly 30% of isolates resistant to vancomycin (i.e. VRE). VRE are the third leading cause of hospital-acquired infection. Hospital-acquired enterococcal infections typically occur in very ill or debilitated patients who have been exposed to broad-spectrum antibiotics. They are also the third most common cause of hospital-acquired bloodstream infections in the U.S. The overall prevalence rate of VRE colonization in this study was 35%.
N. Proposed Labeling:
The labeling is sufficient and it satisfies the requirements of 21 CFR Part 809.10.
O. Conclusion:
The submitted information in this premarket notification is complete and supports a substantial equivalence decision.
Predicate graph will load when search results are available.
Embedding visualization will load when search results are available.
PDF viewer will load when search results are available.
Loading panels...
Select an item from Submissions
Click any panel, subpart, regulation, product code, or device to see details here.
Section Matches
Results will appear here.
Product Code Matches
Results will appear here.
Special Control Matches
Results will appear here.
Loading collections...
Loading
My Alerts
You will receive email notifications based on the filters and frequency you set for each alert.
Sort by:
Create Alert
Search Filters
Agent Token
Create a read-only bearer token for Claude, ChatGPT, or other agents that can call HTTP APIs.
Copy this now. It will not be shown again.
Connected apps
Apps you authorized through browser sign-in. Disconnecting revokes their access immediately.
Learn the FDA Browser
Two short videos show you everything — or skip straight to the written tutorial if you'd rather read. You can reopen this any time from the Tutorial button in the top bar.
Part 1 — Search, results, and everyday workflows 16 min
Part 2 — Embeddings: the galaxy map 3 min
1. Search: exact and fuzzy
Type a phrase like "coronary artery calcification" into the search box. You get two kinds of results. Exact results match the literal phrase — prefix searches work ("coronary artery calcificati") but suffix searches do not. Fuzzy results match on the meaning and intent of your phrase rather than the exact words, and are sorted by relevance score. Hover over the Exact or Fuzzy badge on any row to see exactly why it matched.
Use the checkboxes above the results to narrow: SaMD keeps only software-only devices, AI / ML keeps only devices with AI.
Exact vs. fuzzy search: what's the difference?
Exact matches on the literal phrase (prefix search works, suffix does not). Fuzzy matches on the meaning and intent of the phrase rather than the exact words. Hover over the badge on any row to see why it matched.
You search "coronary artery calcification" and want only software devices with AI. What two filters do you apply?
Narrow by SaMD (software-only devices), then narrow by AI/ML (devices with AI).
2. The results table
Scroll right in the results table. The intended use is extracted for you — no need to open the PDF. The device story gives a high-level snapshot of what the device does and how it's used. The AI Performance sub-table shows each output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, and development/test dataset descriptions — the same format Innolitics uses for regulatory strategy outputs, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. It is AI-generated but has been very reliable in practice.
Where do you find a device's intended use without opening the PDF?
Scroll right in the search results table. The intended use column is extracted for you; no need to dig into the 510(k) summary PDF.
What does the AI Performance sub-table show, and why is it useful?
Output name, acceptance criteria, observed values, development dataset description, and test dataset description. It's the same format we use for regulatory strategy output and Fast 510(k) input, and the fastest high-level fingerprint of an AI device. AI-generated but reliable in practice.
3. Judging fuzzy relevance
Fuzzy results trail off in relevance as you scroll. Use three signals to decide how far down to go: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether your target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, you're past the relevant zone. A top hit with a low score (~0.4) and a stretched explanation is a hint the closest predicates are far away — the project may be headed for De Novo. Note the fuzzy search is a pattern match: it doesn't handle negation ("not") well, and hardware devices can appear — filter by SaMD/AI ML to cut them.
How do you judge how far down fuzzy search results to go?
Use the relevancy signals: the fuzzy badge explanations, the intended use column, and whether the target output (e.g., Cobb angle) still appears in the AI Performance sub-table. Once it stops appearing, results are trailing off in relevancy.
4. Device detail page: chat and citations
Click a device name to open its detail page: device facts on the left, a chat window on the right. Ask something like "Describe the training data". The answer carries little citation bubbles — click one to jump to the highlighted passage in the source PDF, so you can verify every AI answer against the document. There's also a Download PDF button for sharing.
How do you verify an AI chat answer on the device detail page?
Click the citation bubbles to jump to the relevant highlight in the source document.
Reading rule for every project: how many summaries do you read in full?
At least the three most relevant 510(k) or De Novo summaries, in full. After that, use targeted chat questions to confirm your memory quickly. The tool supports this professional habit — it doesn't replace it.
5. Side-by-side comparison
Select multiple rows in the results table (aim for under ~10), then open the PDF Viewer tab. Ask one question — it goes to all selected devices in parallel, each with citations. This is the fastest way to compare and contrast devices: training data, PCCP scope, how they handled adding new scanners, and so on.
What does the side-by-side PDF viewer mode do?
Select multiple devices, open the PDF viewer tab, and ask one question (e.g., "Describe the training data"). It queries all selected devices simultaneously with citations, so you can compare and contrast quickly.
6. Collections
With rows selected, go to the Collections tab and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). Reload that selection any time — before a client call, pull up the collection and ask questions across all of its devices at once.
How do you save a set of selected devices for later use?
Select the rows, go to the Collections tab, and create a labeled collection (e.g., "Cobb Angle Project"). You can reload the selection anytime and carry it into the PDF viewer and other tabs that support selections.
7. Product codes and the regulations tree
Click a product code in the results to jump to it in the regulations tree — identification text, sibling product codes, and devices you can open in a PDF viewer on the right. Click a regulation number to see its identification, special controls, and related product codes. You can also search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree. Always read the special controls if any exist for your device — it broadens your search and sharpens pre-kickoff research.
What can you do from the regulations tree view?
Browse product codes and regulation numbers, read the identification text and special controls, browse sibling product codes, open device PDFs on the right, and search by product code or regulation number at the top of the tree.
8. Chart view
Click Show Chart and segment by regulation number (or product code) to see which regulations dominate your result set. Clicking a regulation takes you into the regulations tree. Great for spotting that most matches are, say, hardware laparoscopic devices — a cue to go back and filter.
How do you see which regulations dominate a search result set?
Click "Show Chart" and segment by Regulation Number. Clicking a regulation takes you to the regulations tree.
9. The predicate graph
Open the Predicates tab for a family-tree view of predicate relationships. Click a node to trace its parents and children; selections from search carry over pre-selected. Commonly predicated devices are worth reading — a lot of people predicated them for a reason. The visual lineage is also handy on client calls, e.g. to show how a predicate family evolved and justify why your predicate still holds.
In the predicate graph, why are commonly predicated devices worth reading?
A lot of people predicated them for a reason. Clicking a node traces parents and children, and selections from search carry over pre-selected.
10. Embeddings: the galaxy map
The Embeddings tab plots every matching document in a 2-D "galaxy map" where semantically similar devices cluster together. Hover or click clusters to explore, and let AI label the clusters for you. Embeddings beat product codes for grouping: two devices can carry different product codes (LLZ vs. QIH) yet do the same thing — the embedding captures the meaning of the intended use and device story. This is also exactly how retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) works under the hood, and it makes a great visual on client calls.
Try it yourself
Head to the search page and work through a few of these AI/ML fuzzy searches to build intuition: perivascular fat on CT · aortic valve calcification opportunistic screening on noncontrast CT · breast cancer prediction on digital pathology slides · autism detection · gestational age prediction · a hearing aid that can also detect a pulse · foundation model based analysis of ECG · large language models · penetration test. Watch how the relevance scores, intended use, and AI Performance tables tell you when results stop being meaningful.