[Triangular comparison of the agar diffusion method, the ABAC system and the Sensitre system for determination of...

The in vitro activity of sisomicin, gentamicin, tobramycin and amikacin, four similar aminoglycosides, has been determined against 135 bacterial strains of Gram-negative bacilli representing 4 genera of common pathogens isolated from urinary tract infections. Comparison between three methods of antibiotic susceptibility tests: agar diffusion by Kirby-Bauer, semi-automatic technique using ABAC apparatus (Intertechnique, Sclavo) dilution method (MIC), has shown a considerable percentage of agreement, in almost all cases. The highest percentages of agreement have been shown for sisomicin and tobramycin. The authors analyze the role of the new techniques representing an advance in routine work.