Activities of the USP Analytical Microbiology Expert Committee during the 2000-2005 revision cycle

This article is a comprehensive review of the published activities of the Analytical Microbiology Expert Committee (AMB) for the 2000-2005 revision cycle. The major thrust of the activities during this revision cycle were directed at international harmonization, and to provide guidance in the changing field of pharmaceutical microbiology. In addition to reviewing the changes accomplished, this article discusses the rationale for many of the changes and some background information regarding new initiatives underway. Where appropriate, changes in the USP that did not fall under the direct purview of the AMB Expert Committee (EC) but of interest to the microbiology community are also discussed.