Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (AST) Practices in India: Need for a National AST Forum

Area of Science:

• Clinical Microbiology
• Infectious Diseases
• Laboratory Diagnostics

Background:

• Accurate antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) is vital for effective antimicrobial therapy.
• Laboratory practices significantly influence AST performance and interpretation.
• Understanding current AST practices in India is crucial for identifying areas for improvement.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the current status of antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) practices in Indian laboratories.
• To identify critical factors influencing AST performance and quality control.
• To highlight discrepancies in AST methodology and postgraduate training.

Main Methods:

• A 22-point online survey was distributed to 362 clinical microbiologists in India.
• Data collected covered laboratory specifications, consumables, quality control, and AST practices.
• Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics, with 100 complete surveys analyzed.

Main Results:

• All participants followed Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) guidelines.
• 54% primarily used disc diffusion for AST; 19% used broth microdilution for colistin.
• Internal quality control for media and AST was inadequate in 24% and 16% of labs, respectively.
• 86% participated in external quality control, but 54% expressed dissatisfaction with postgraduate AST training.

Conclusions:

• Significant gaps exist in AST performance parameters and internal quality control in Indian laboratories.
• There is a critical need for harmonization of AST practices across India.
• Enhancing postgraduate training in clinical microbiology is essential for improving AST competency.