A microbe-specific medium for detection of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci
in a test sample within 24 hours and preferably within 18 hours. The testing
medium provides a selective growth medium for vancomycin-resistant Enterococci
and includes specific nutrient indicators which only the target microbe can
significantly metabolize and use for growth. The nutrient indicator contain a nutrient
moiety and a detectable moiety linked together by a covalent bond. The nutrient
indicators produce detectable signals only if the nutrient indicators are hydrolyzed
by the Enterococci specific enzymes including -glucosidase and pyrrolidonyl arylamidase.