Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 12, 2026

One-day Workflow Scheme for Bacterial Pathogen Detection and Antimicrobial Resistance Testing from Blood Cultures
08:30

One-day Workflow Scheme for Bacterial Pathogen Detection and Antimicrobial Resistance Testing from Blood Cultures

Published on: July 9, 2012

25.5K

Piperacillin/Tazobactam Susceptibility Test Interpretive Criteria for Enterobacterales: Recommendations From the

Thomas P Lodise1, Sujata M Bhavnani2, Paul G Ambrose2

  • 1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Albany, New York, USA.

Clinical Infectious Diseases : an Official Publication of the Infectious Diseases Society of America
|June 21, 2024
PubMed

Insights

The United States Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (USCAST) updated interpretive criteria for piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) against Enterobacterales. USCAST advises against TZP for specific Enterobacterales species, recommending it only for susceptible strains with extended infusions.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Antimicrobial Resistance
  • Clinical Pharmacy

Background:

  • Updated in vitro susceptibility testing interpretive criteria (STIC) for piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP) against Enterobacterales have been released by major regulatory bodies.
  • The United States Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing (USCAST) has independently reviewed TZP STIC for Enterobacterales, proposing distinct criteria.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the USCAST recommendations and the scientific rationale for revised TZP STIC against Enterobacterales.
  • To guide clinical laboratories and healthcare providers in interpreting TZP susceptibility testing results.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive review of available in vitro susceptibility data for TZP against various Enterobacterales species.
  • Evaluation of the likelihood of AmpC beta-lactamase production and third-generation cephalosporin (3GC) non-susceptibility in Enterobacterales.
  • Development of revised STIC based on data analysis and clinical relevance.

Main Results:

  • USCAST does not recommend TZP STIC for Enterobacterales species with a high likelihood of AmpC production (e.g., Enterobacter cloacae, Citrobacter freundii, Klebsiella aerogenes).
  • TZP STIC are not recommended for third-generation cephalosporin-nonsusceptible Enterobacterales.
  • A TZP susceptibility breakpoint of ≤ 16/4 mg/L is recommended for third-generation cephalosporin-susceptible Enterobacterales.

Conclusions:

  • USCAST recommends a tailored approach to TZP use in Enterobacterales infections based on susceptibility profiles.
  • Extended infusion TZP regimens are endorsed only for infections caused by susceptible Enterobacterales strains.
  • These updated guidelines aim to optimize the use of piperacillin/tazobactam and combat antimicrobial resistance.
Keywords:
AmpCESBLEnterobacteralespiperacillin/tazobactamsusceptibility

More Related Videos

Use of Artificial Sputum Medium to Test Antibiotic Efficacy Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Conditions More Relevant to the Cystic Fibrosis Lung07:46

Use of Artificial Sputum Medium to Test Antibiotic Efficacy Against Pseudomonas aeruginosa in Conditions More Relevant to the Cystic Fibrosis Lung

Published on: June 5, 2012

33.0K
Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes08:58

Isolation and Identification of Waterborne Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria and Molecular Characterization of their Antibiotic Resistance Genes

Published on: March 3, 2023

6.4K

Related Concept Videos

Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test01:26

Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test

A urine culture and sensitivity test is a diagnostic procedure used to identify urinary tract bacterial infections and determine the most effective antibiotics for treatment. This test is generally preferred when a patient shows manifestations of a urinary tract infection, such as frequent or painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or lower abdominal pain.Purpose of the TestThe primary goals of a urine culture and sensitivity test are to:Determine the specific bacteria causing the...
Automated Microbial Diagnostics01:24

Automated Microbial Diagnostics

Automated diagnostic analyzers have transformed clinical microbiology by providing rapid and reliable methods for pathogen identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing. Among these systems, the Vitek 2 is widely used because it automates the traditionally labor-intensive processes of microbial identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST), delivering standardized and timely results that are essential for effective patient care.Microbial Identification with ID CardsThe...
Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance01:25

Clinical Significance of Antibiotic Resistance

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) presents a critical public health threat, arising from its capacity to resist β-lactam antibiotics due to acquisition of the mecA gene within the staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec). This gene encodes penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a), which impairs binding efficacy of methicillin and other β-lactams. MRSA has evolved into distinct clonal lineages impacting humans and animals alike, reinforcing its significance within the One...