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Updated: Jul 19, 2026

Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds
08:54

Broth Microdilution In Vitro Screening: An Easy and Fast Method to Detect New Antifungal Compounds

Published on: February 14, 2018

[Methods for in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing]

Eric Dannaoui1

  • 1Centre National de Référence Mycologie et Antifongiques, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France. dannaoui@pasteur.fr

Therapie
|September 23, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Standardized methods for in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing are available for yeasts and filamentous fungi. Further improvements are needed, but Etest offers a reliable alternative for clinical microbiology labs.

Area of Science:

  • Mycology
  • Microbiology
  • Pharmacology

Context:

  • Significant advancements in in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing methods have been achieved.
  • Established reference techniques exist for both yeasts and filamentous fungi.
  • Ongoing efforts focus on refining existing methods and exploring alternatives.

Purpose:

  • To review the current state of in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing methods.
  • To highlight the availability and standardization of reference techniques.
  • To discuss the utility of Etest as a routine clinical microbiology tool.
  • To report on the establishment of susceptibility breakpoints for key antifungal agents.

Summary:

  • Reference methods for in vitro antifungal susceptibility testing are available for yeasts and filamentous fungi, though technical improvements are still required.
  • The Etest method is a standardized and viable alternative for routine use in clinical microbiology laboratories.
  • In vitro-in vivo correlation studies have successfully defined susceptibility breakpoints for fluconazole, itraconazole, and flucytosine in yeasts.

Impact:

  • Provides an overview of current antifungal susceptibility testing methodologies.
  • Facilitates informed selection of appropriate antifungal agents in clinical settings.
  • Supports accurate diagnosis and treatment of fungal infections.
  • Contributes to the standardization of antifungal drug efficacy assessment.

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