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History and development of antimicrobial susceptibility testing methodology
1Mast Laboratories, Mast Group Limited, Mast House, Derby Road, Bootle, Merseyside L20 1EA, UK. pfwheat@mastgrp.com
The Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy
|June 23, 2001
Summary
Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) methods have evolved from traditional phenotypic approaches to faster genotypic methods. Standardization and automation have been key developments in improving the speed and reliability of AST for clinical laboratories.
Area of Science:
- Clinical microbiology
- Medical laboratory science
- Bacteriology
Background:
- Antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) is crucial for guiding antibiotic treatment.
- Routine AST methods like disc diffusion and agar dilution have a long history in clinical laboratories.
- Early recognition of variability necessitated standardization of AST techniques.
Observation:
- Standardization efforts for AST methodologies began in the late 1950s, involving multiple organizations.
- Traditional AST methods typically require 18-24 hours of incubation for results.
- Development of semi-automated and automated AST systems emerged in the 1970s due to demands for faster results and reduced labor.
Findings:
- Phenotypic AST methods have been the standard until recently, relying on direct bacterial testing.
- Genotypic approaches are now advocated to enhance the speed and reliability of antimicrobial resistance detection.
- The paper discusses the advantages and disadvantages of both phenotypic and genotypic AST strategies.
Implications:
- Advancements in AST, including genotypic methods, aim to improve clinical decision-making and patient outcomes.
- Faster and more reliable AST results can lead to more effective antibiotic stewardship and combat antimicrobial resistance.
- Continued innovation in AST technologies is essential for modern clinical diagnostics and public health.